§ Mr. TippingTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of the number, standard and quality of those companies which have pre-qualified to buy the mining assets of British Coal; whether he has now invited further companies to make offers for those assets; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EggarIn considering all applications to pre-qualify, DTI, in consultation with its advisers, took into account a range of factors, including the technical and commercial ability of applicants to manage regional coal companies and care and maintenance collieries, and the likely ability of the applicant to finance any bid they may tender. No further companies have been invited to make offers for the mining assets of the British Coal Corporation.