HC Deb 14 December 1984 vol 69 c605W
Mr. Canavan

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will make a statement about the miners' strike.

Mr. David Hunt

This damaging dispute has been sought and provoked by the NUM leadership and imposed on its own membership without a ballot. There is no justification for this strike. The board's offer is the best in the industry's history and has been accepted by the other unions in the mining industry.

No one wishes more than this Government to see an early and constructive settlement to this dispute. Any initiative is welcome if it offers the prospect of a realistic settlement that can offer the industry a good future. The NUM has yet to show that it is interested in such a settlement.