§ Mr. AllenTo ask the President of the Board of Trade how soon after the closure of the consultation period on the future of the mineworkers' pension scheme he will make a public statement as to that future; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EggarThe Government will give very careful consideration to all responses received on the consultation paper on British Coal pensions after privatisation. It is too early to say how soon conclusions will be reached but Parliament will of course be informed as soon as possible of the Government's proposals.