§ 33. Mr. Harry GreenwayTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the prospects for involving the private sector in the United Kingdom coal industry.
§ Mr. EggarWith the recent passing of the Coal Industry Act 1994 we are on course to privatise British Coal's coal mining assets by the end of the year. Twenty-six applicants have prequalified for one or more of the regional coal companies. In addition, nine collieries which were offered for lease/license by British Coal have now been taken over by the private sector. British Coal is also pressing ahead with plans for the disposal of a large number of its non-mining businesses.