Members Business - Christine Grahame: Mineworkers' Pension Scheme

That the Parliament notes the recent report by the UK Parliament’s Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Select Committee into the Mineworkers' Pension Scheme; understands that the scheme, established in 1994, meant a 50/50 split in surplus sharing between the miners and the UK Government and that, to date, the UK Government has received £4.4 billion, with at least a further £1.9 billion due and the UK Government paying nothing into the fund; further understands, however, that many beneficiaries are struggling to make ends meet, including those in the Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale constituency; notes that the committee therefore recommended amending the 50/50 surplus sharing arrangements in the miners’ favour, and immediately giving the £1.2 billion currently held in the Investment Reserve to former miners; understands that the Welsh Government has registered support for these recommendations, and notes the calls on the Scottish Government to do likewise.