Mr. Andy StewartTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what discussions he has had with the Coal Mining Consortium about its proposals to apply for all or part of a privatised coal industry and to enable employees in the industry to become shareholders.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryI met representatives of the Mineworkers Consortium specifically to listen to their proposals concerning British Coal's Monktonhall colliery. We will be considering a number of options for the privatisation of the coal industry; however, no decisions will be taken on the form or timing of the sale until after the next general election.