§ 40. Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will appoint a public inquiry to follow 287W up the internal investigation of the National Coal Board's dealings with firms supplying equipment; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Tom BoardmanNo. Allegations in connection with National Coal Board's officials' shareholdings in a supplying firm were, at my request, referred by the board to their Government-appointed auditors. The hon. Member will be aware that the auditors concluded there was no substance in the allegations, but recommended that senior board officials should be asked to make regular declarations of any interests in companies with which the board deals. The board has accepted this recommendation.