§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Energy what contingency planning has been done to deal with the social and economic costs of pit closures.
§ Mr. John MooreDecisions on pit closures are a matter for the National Coal Board's management to take in consultation with the unions involved. It would be wrong for me to comment in advance on the possible implications of such decisions.
I am meeting the board and the mining unions today to discuss the present position of the coal industry.