§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement regarding dismissals by British Coal during the 1984–85 miners strike. [123768]
§ Mrs. LiddellIn their report, the Coalfield Task Force established by my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister recommended that the DTI review the pension470W entitlements of men who were not reinstated following their dismissal during that dispute. True to our commitment to investigate this matter, I have today distributed to interested parties a consultative document.
The document endeavours to present a broadly factual account of British Coal's dismissal and re-employment policy around the time of the strike and in its aftermath. It focuses in particular on those individuals who were not re-employed in the aftermath of the strike and whose cases were not considered by Industrial Tribunals at the time. It also addresses concerns which have been expressed over the pension rights of individuals who were found by Industrial Tribunals to have been unfairly dismissed.
The document also proposes a twin approach aimed at achieving a resolution which I hope will be seen as just in the eyes of all those who continue to live with the effects of this tragic period in the industry's history.
I am placing copies of the document in the Libraries of the House.