§ Mr. BatisteTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has made of the value of the colliery tips still held by British Coal; and what receipts to public funds he estimates will accrue from their disposal in(a) the current and (b) the next financial year. [28857]
§ Mr. PageThe valuation of British Coal's property, including colliery tips, and the likely proceeds from their disposal is a commercial matter for the corporation.
§ Mr. BatisteTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if British Coal is subject to the scrutiny of the Comptroller and Auditor-General in the disposal of its surplus colliery tips. [28855]
§ Mr. PageThe Comptroller and Auditor-General is not the external auditor of British Coal and has no statutory right of access to its records. He can, of course, look at the Department's activities in relation to its sponsorship of British Coal.
§ Mr. BatisteTo ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what mechanisms exists to ensure that British Coal obtains value for money in its disposal of colliery tips; [28853]
(2) what guidelines he issues to British Coal in respect of obtaining the best price for disposals of colliery tips. [28854]
§ Mr. PageThe disposal of its non-operational property, including colliery tips, is a matter for British Coal. However, British Coal must comply with its statutory duties under section 11 of the Coal Industry Act 1994.