HC Deb 04 July 1988 vol 136 c421W
24. Mr. Lofthouse

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he has any plans to discuss the privatisation of the coal industry with the chairman of British Coal.

Mr. Parkinson

The Government have made clear their ambitions to return the coal industry to the private sector. However, we have no plans to do so before the next general election and no detailed discussions have therefore taken place with the British Coal Corporation.