§ Mr. RiddickTo ask the President of the Board of Trade whether and when the Government will consult interested parties on the privatisation of British Coal.
§ Mr. EggarThe Government announced in the Queen's Speech their plans to introduce legislation to return British Coal to the private sector and are now in the process of considering the form and timing of coal privatisation. The Government have undertaken to consult on privatisation and I have today written to interested bodies seeking their views. I will of course welcome the views of any interested group or individual, by 22 June.