§ Mr. Marsdenasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what are the annual payments being made by the National Coal Board as compensation to former owners; for how long these payments will continue; and what will be the total amount paid in compensation by the time that this obligation is extinguished.
§ Mr. EmeryNone. Compensation under the Coal Industry Nationalisation Act 1946 was payable by the Government, principally by the issue of Government stock. The board was deemed to have borrowed from the Government an amount equal to the compensation paid, £388 million. All claims arising under the Act have been settled.