§ Mr. ClaphamTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will meet the trustees of the mineworkers and supervisors pension fund to assess their views before he has further negotiations with other parties interested in taking over the fund's management. [18664]
§ Mr. PageNegotiations with parties interested in acquiring the management of the funds of the coal pension schemes are a matter for British Coal and the trustees. As guarantor, my consent is required under the schemes' rules to the appointment of a new fund manager.
15W
§ Mr. ClaphamTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if the Government are seeking fresh bids for the management of the mineworkers and supervisors pension fund; and what is the estimated timetable. [18665]
§ Mr. PageThis is a matter for British coal and the trustees. I understand that discussions between British Coal and the trustees are continuing.
§ Mr. ClaphamTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what has been the cost to public funds to date of efforts to sell the mineworkers and supervisors pension fund; and who will meet these costs. [18666]
§ Mr. ClaphamTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if the Government will now make it a condition of the sale of the mineworkers and supervisors pension fund business that the buyer keep the existing CINMan team. [18667]
§ Mr. ClaphamTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what has been his Department's involvement in the departure of the chief executive of CINMan; and who will fund his redundancy settlement. [18663]
§ Mr. PageMy Department has been kept informed of British Coal's plans for the re-organisation of CINMan. As guarantor of the coal pensions schemes, I have a common interest with the coal pensioners in ensuring the proper and effective management of the pension funds. The terms of the settlement are a matter for the parties concerned.