§ Mr. Nicholas WintertonTo ask the President of the Board of Trade when he last met representatives of(a) British Coal and (b) the General, Municipal, Boilermakers and Allied Trades Union to discuss the future of the British Coal staff superannuation scheme; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Nicholas WintertonTo ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what representations he has recently received concerning the proposal by British Coal to withhold from the British Coal staff superannuation scheme the payment of the £500 million which had been previously agreed for the funding of enhanced redundancy pensions;
(2) what recent representations he has received concerning the British Coal staff superannuation scheme; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EggarI have received a number of letters from the public and Members of Parliament about British Coal's staff superannuation scheme.
§ Mr. Nicholas WintertonTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what is his policy on the decision of British Coal to withhold from the British Coal staff superannuation scheme the payment of the £500 million which had been previously agreed; when that policy was communicated to British Coal; and what assurances he has given to British Coal relating to legal or other costs which might be incurred in resisting moves to force the release of the funds to the superannuation scheme.
§ Mr. EggarThe management of British Coal's staff superannuation scheme is a matter for the corporation and the scheme's trustees. British Coal is seeking a court direction on the application of its share of the surplus in the scheme before it proceeds. No indemnity has been given or offered to the corporation in respect of its legal other costs. The Department will make grant payments for additional contributions that are made by British Coal.