HC Deb 27 October 1992 vol 212 c587W
Mr. Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what discussions she has had with(a) the chairman of British Coal, (b) members of the National Economic Development Council, (c) the director-general of the Confederation of British Industry, (d) the Major Energy Users Council, and (e) the coal industry trades unions on the implications of the coal industry pit closure plans.

Mr. McLoughlin

Employment Ministers have not met representatives of these bodies to discuss the pit closures. There has been a meeting with the training enterprise councils involved to discuss what help can be given.

Mr. Dobson

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment on what day her Department first made preparations to deal with the impending pit closures.

Mrs. Gillian Shephard

[holding answer 26 October 1992]: My Department has been aware for some months of possible future pit closures and has been involved in contingency planning.

Mr. Llew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what discussions she has had with the European social affairs and regional Commissioners in regard to the implications for EC employment and regional aid programmes of the pit closure programme.

Mr. Eggar

I have been asked to reply. I have been in contact with Mr. Millan, the Commissioner with responsibility for regional policies, and discussions have begun at official level.