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

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what the dates were on which the Coal Forum met in each of the last three years; and when he plans to call a further meeting of that forum.

The Coal Forum was set up following the 2006 Energy Review in order to bring together Government and the coal industry to work to “secure the long-term future of coal-fired power generation and UK coal production”. The Forum most recently met on 10th February 2016, 3rd February 2015 and 27th January 2014. Members of the Coal Forum have met officials within the Department more regularly.

I have this week written to the Independent Chair of the Forum to set out my view that it has now served its purpose and should formally be wound down. Officials and I will of course continue to engage with representatives from the industry as and when appropriate.