REMOVAL OF VITAL EQUIPMENT FROM HATFIELD COLLIERY

That this House condemns British Coal for removing vital equipment such as face supports, belt drives and locomotives from Hatfield Colliery in Doncaster; calls on the Government to get off the fence on this matter and intervene decisively to stop the removal of this equipment, which is crucial if the pit is to have any chance of a future under new management; and recognises that Hatfield Colliery would provide hundreds of much-needed jobs in the Doncaster area, which has been devastated by the recent pit closure programme. (Relevant registered interest declared).