HC Deb 09 May 1994 vol 243 cc19-20W
Mr. Tipping

To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 22 April,Official Report, column 708, if he will now announce a new redundancy scheme for mineworkers; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Eggar

The operation of British Coal's redundancy arrangements is a matter for the corporation. I understand it is currently discussing with the unions the redundancy arrangements for industrial employees to apply after 30 April.

Mr. Alex Carlile

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will introduce a statutory requirement to ensure that the new coal authority must ensure appropriate environmental safeguards and levels of public accountability for the privatised coal industry; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Heseltine

[holding answer 6 May 1994]: It will be for the successor companies to discharge their obligations to protect the environment, and for the relevant regulators to enforce these obligations.