§ Earl Russellasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, before approving British Coal's programme of pit closures, they took account of losses to mortgage lenders through consequent repossessions, and what the amount of such losses is likely to be.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Baroness Denton of Wakefield)Until the review announced by my right honourable friend the President of the Board of Trade and the statutory consultation process currently being undertaken by British Coal are completed it is not certain which pits, if any, will close. The £1 billion package previously announced by my right honour-able friend the President of the Board of Trade concentrated on looking forward to economic regeneration and ensuring the availability of a generous redundancy scheme.