§ Mr. Masonasked the Secretary of State for Energy what information he has as to the latest negotiating positions of the National Coal Board and the National Union of Mineworkers and as to the full agreement reached between the National Association of Colliery Overmen, Deputies and Shotfirers and the National Coal Board, covering the main issues of the five main pits threatened with imminent closure, the pit closure programme, the arbitration procedures for pit colliery closures and on the list of financial offers that have been made to the National Union of Mineworkers and the National Association of Colliery Overmen, Deputies and Shotfirers; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. David HuntThe National Union of Mineworkers has made it clear that its position has not changed since90W March. The National Coal Board, in discussions with the National Association of Colliery Overmen, Deputies and Shotfirers, reached a sensible and constructive outcome. The same agreement is available to the National Union of Mineworkers.
§ Mr. Dormandasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the latest position in the dispute in the mining industry.
§ Mr. David HuntSince 5 November more than 10,000 miners have returned to work. The national executive of the NUM, at its meeting last week, again refused to ballot its members. Those 70,000 miners who have held a ballot decided by an enormous margin not to strike.