Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the Certification Officer's letter to the National Union of Mineworkers Northumberland Area of 12 October 2017, if he will place in the Library a copy of all the evidence submitted for the Certification Officer's consideration.

The Certification Officer is not in a position to disclose documentation on current or past cases. Disclosure could prejudice further investigations or future cases.

The Certification is an independent statutory office holder. The Certification Officer’s enquiries into the financial affairs of the National Union of Mineworkers (Northumberland Area) were undertaken to enable him to consider whether it was appropriate to use his powers under section 37B of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 to appoint an inspector to investigate those affairs in the light of allegations and information received.