Pit Closures (Hansard, 12 November 1992)

§ Mr. Simon Hughes
To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what will be Lord Walker's salary for administering assistance measures to areas affected by colliery closures; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Cohen
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what arrangements have been made for the remuneration of Lord Walker for his work in connection with pit closures; and what are the full terms and conditions of Lord Walker's contract.

§ Mr. Morgan
To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his statement on 21 October, if he will announce the terms and conditions of the appointment of Lord Walker to assist and advise on the creation of alternative job creation in pit closure areas; and what relationship it will have with his appointment, and the terms and conditions thereof, as chairman-elect of the urban regeneration agency.

§ Mr. Gordon Prentice
To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will indicate the relevant experience and qualities of Lord Walker leading to his appointment as the person to lead the review of the impact on the mining communities of the proposed pit closures.
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§ Mr. Madden
To ask the President of the Board of Trade on what terms, including salary, he has appointed Lord Walker to co-ordinate action to regenerate areas where coal mines are to be closed; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Hanson
To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his statement of 19 October,Official Report, column 207, if Lord Walker's post as adviser to his Department is to be remunerated.

§ Mrs. Jane Kennedy
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what salary will be paid to Lord Walker for his work in overseeing the Government's proposed aid to the coal mining areas.

§ Mr. Mackinlay
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what salary, per diem, or other emoluments Lord Walker will receive whilst fulfilling his duties in respect of assistance to the communities affected by coal closures.

§ Mr. Heseltine
[holding answers 22, 23 and 29 October 1992]: The Government intend to see that measures of assistance for coal closure areas are effectively targeted and that any wasteful duplication is avoided. Lord Walker will be an adviser to me and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales. I see his role as being wide-ranging and will want him to look at any issues relating to the facilitation and co-ordination of the regeneration of the coalfield areas. In addition I have asked him to advise me on the broader implications of this for the delivery of my Department's regional policy and inward investment measures. He will liaise closely with bodies promoting regeneration and will advise me and my right hon. Friend on any measures which could be taken to promote economic revival of the areas. Lord Walker will carry out his work on coalfield regeneration in addition to his role as chairman designate of the urban regeneration agency. He will do this work without remuneration.

§ Mr. Cryer
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what office staff and transport facilities will be provided for Lord Walker for his duties as co-ordinator for the coal fields; and what is the estimated annual cost of staff and office costs for this purpose.

§ Mr. Heseltine
[holding answer 23 October 1992]: My Department and the Welsh Office will provide all the back-up support which Lord Walker may need. Other Departments concerned will also be closely involved in this work. This support will be provided from within existing resources.

§ Mr. Austin Mitchell
To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will now introduce legislation to reverse the Caparo judgment.

§ Mr. Neil Hamilton
We have no plans to do so.