HC Deb 09 May 2000 vol 349 c339W
Mr. Beith

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information about his decision to pay subsidies to the coal industry was given to the BBC by(a) Ministers, (b) special advisers and (c) officials in his Department before Monday 17 April. [121050]

Mr. Byers

The Department maintains regular contact with the BBC on a range of issues.