HC Deb 18 December 1989 vol 164 cc102-3W
26. Mr. Steve Norris

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how much the Government have invested in British Coal since 1979.

40. Mr. Andy Stewart

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how much the Government have invested in British Coal since 1979.

Mr. Wakeham

Since 1979 the Government have financed over £6.5 billion of new investment in the coal industry and continue to invest at a rate of over £2 million every working day.

Mr. Dobson

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy on how many occasions in the past 10 years the auditors of British Coal or the National Coal Board have drawn his attention to inadequacies in their accounts.

Mr. Wakeham

In each of the years 1979–80 to 1988–89 there has been a qualification of the accounts of British Coal by their auditors.

British Coal's accounts have been qualified by its Auditors from 1983–84 to 1988–89 owing to the uncertainty over the recoverability out of future earnings of the total net book amount of the corporation's tangible fixed assets. British Coal's accounts were also qualified from 1983–84 to 1986–87 owing to the uncertainty over the amount of liability arising from future claims for surface damage; and from 1979–80 to 1983–84 over provision for liabilities under the mineworkers' pension scheme and the voluntary early retirement scheme.

Mr. Patchett

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he last met the chairman of British Coal; and what matters were discussed.

Mr. Wakeham

I meet the chairman of the British Coal Corporation regularly to discuss all aspects of the coal industry.

57. Mr. Meale

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his most up-to-date estimate of the manpower employed by British Coal over the next three years.

Mr. Michael Spicer

It is not possible to predict manpower requirements over future years since this will depend on the performance of individual collieries and the success British Coal has in meeting the requirements of its customers. Manpower requirements are however, a matter for British Coal and I have asked the chairman to write to the hon. Member.

36. Mr. Buckley

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he next proposes to meet the chairman of British Coal; and what matters will be discussed.

65. Mr. Janner

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he last met the chairman of British Coal; and what matters were discussed.

Mr. Wakeham

I meet the chairman of British Coal regularly to discuss all aspects of the coal industry.