HC Deb 24 May 1985 vol 79 c584W
Mr. Gordon Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what discussions took place in the Council of Ministers in 1983 and 1984 over proposals for reducing capacity in the European coal industries; and what were the conclusions of the discussions.

Mr. David Hunt

No such proposals were tabled.

Mr. Gordon Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he has studied EEC Commission documents COM(84)419 and COM(83)583 on the future of the European coal industry; and if he will make a statement on the British Government's response to these.

Mr. David Hunt

Explanatory memoranda on these documents, indicating their policy implications for the United Kingdom, were laid before the House on 22 October 1984 and 8 November 1983 respectively.