§ Mr. ClaphamTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what has been the total cost to public funds of the British Coal canteen workers equal pay claim; and when he expects the case to be resolved. [69896]
§ Mr. BattleThis remains a matter for British Coal. I understand they have settled around 70 claims from UDM and a few NUM canteen workers at an average settlement cost of around £1,300 per claim. In the meantime, the Employment Tribunal has ordered that sample cases be referred to an independent expert, who has been asked to submit his report by March 1999. Subsequent progress will depend largely on the content of this report.