§ 21. Mr. Tim Smithasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he has now agreed a new plan for coal with the National Coal Board and the National Union of Mineworkers.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerThe National Coal Board has expressed its willingness to discuss how the proposals which it is making for future investment in the industry and for future marketing drives would fully fulfil the principles of "Plan for Coal". Alas, the present industrial dispute is doing considerable damage both to market prospects and to the potential for better productivity.