Coal Industry Dispute

6.

Mr. Flannery
asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will now estimate the cost to date of the miners' strike.

Mr. David Hunt
To the beginning of this year the strike was estimated to have added about £1½ billion to the public sector borrowing requirement in 1984–85. When the Chancellor comes to present his Budget he will be in a position to give a more up-to-date estimate.

14.

Mr. Lofthouse
asked the Secretary of State for Energy when next he plans to meet the chairman of the National Coal Board to discuss the mining dispute.

Mr. Peter Walker
I have frequent meetings with the chairman of the National Coal Board.

22.

Sir David Price
asked the Secretary of State for Energy how many miners are now working; and what percentage of the total manpower of the National Coal Board this figure represents.

23.

Mr. Yeo
asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the coal mining dispute.

24.

Mr. Dormand
asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the latest position in the coal industry dispute.

25.

Mr. Marlow
asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the dispute in the coal industry.

27.

Mr. Dykes
asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the number of striking miners resuming work since the end of the Trades Union Congress initiative on 20 February.

28.

Mr. Peter Bruinvels
asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will report on the number of mines now operating and the number of miners now working.

29.

Mr. Gerald Howarth
asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the situation in the coal industry.

30.

Mr. Strang
asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the dispute in the mining industry.

Mr. Peter Walker
I refer to the reply given earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Billericay (Mr. Proctor).