§ Dr. WoodcockTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will direct British Coal to ensure that any sale of National Fuel Distributors by British Coal will be on the open market and that all interested parties will have opportunities to submit bids.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerThis is a commercial matter for British Coal. However, I expect the Corporation to seek to maximise the proceeds from any asset disposals, consistent with the need to ensure that the purchaser does not acquire an unduly dominant position in the coal distribution sector.