Soldato
Doesnt make sense, yes coal is privately owned, if you buy it its yours.I think you usage of private is erroneous in this context.
A cursory Google throws up interesting stuff LINK, however I do also remember a guy from Dumfries in the news some years after the strike getting proof they were bugging phones etc.In addition I DO have some anecdotes that would certainly make you think, personally I`m 100% sure secret services were involved, I mean I think it would be hugely unlikely if they werent.
Sorry I meant to say publicly owned
Kind of defeated the point of my post