§ Mr. TippingTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions he has had with the chairman of British Coal about future redundancy payments for mineworkers after 30 April; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EggarBoth my right hon. Friend, the President of the Board of Trade and I meet the chairman of British Coal as necessary to discuss a wide variety of matters affecting the coal industry, including the funding of British Coal's redundancy arrangements. I understand that British Coal has told the unions that it will inform them as soon as possible of its proposals for redundancy arrangements for industrial workers to apply after 30 April.
§ Mr. TippingTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to extend redundancy schemes and payments for mineworkers after the privatisation of British Coal; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EggarAny redundancy arrangements after the privatisation of British Coal, including any in excess of the statutory requirements, will be a matter for private sector employers. Under the Coal Industry Bill, the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 will apply where there is a transfer of an undertaking or part of an undertaking. In such circumstances, the terms and conditions under contracts of employment at the time of transfer will transfer to the successor companies.
In accordance with TUPE, British Coal will consult trade union representatives about any proposed transfers. The details about what will, or will not transfer, including redundancy terms in excess of the statutory requirements, depend on the specific facts of each case, and are best pursued in the course of those consultations.
§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what are the planned payments to the Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation for the next 10 years and comparable payments made during the last five years expressed at constant prices; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EggarThe Government's proposals for the Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation involve assured funding of £15 million—£5 million taking the form of an annual payment of £1 million for five years, and £10 million taking the form of a capital endowment, the income of which would be available for current expenditure. The funding of CISWO for the past five years has been a matter for British Coal.
§ Mr. TippingTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what financial assistance he plans to make available to companies that buy collieries after the privatisation of British Coal to fund redundancy payments.