§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Energy what are the results of his study of the West Lothian district council evidence to the Cooper committee on the non-recovery of Polkemmet colliery.
§ Mr. David HuntI wrote to the hon. Member on 31 July about the evidence submitted by West Lothian district council. The council subequently sent my right hon. Friend a copy of the inquiry's report and he wrote to it on 16 September.
Decisions on the future of individual pits are central to the management of the coal industry and must be for the National Coal Board in consultation with the unions. The 320W unions have the opportunity to appeal against the proposed closure of Polkemmet through the colliery review procedure.