§ Mr. Beithasked the Secretary of State for Energy what discussions his Department has had with the National Coal Board and the National Union of Mine-workers about the future of the miners' early retirement scheme in the light of the Social Security (No. 2) Bill ; and whether he envisages that this scheme will be continued in such a way that the income of those miners taking early retirement is maintained.
§ Mr. John Moore: Consideration of the relationship of the Social Security (No. 2) Bill to the mineworkers voluntary early retirement scheme is at an early stage and I can assure the hon. Gentleman that the possible effects on the income of miners who take early retirement is being fully borne in mind.