§ Mr. Woofasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what total contributions have been paid by Her Majesty's Government since 1973 into the European Coal and Steel Community Fund; and how much has been received during the same period up to the latest date for which figures are available.
§ Mr. Joel BarnettThe only contributions made by Her Majesty's Government to the ECSC fund have been entry fees of £23.7 million. In general, payments to and receipts from the fund pass directly between the ECSC and the industries themselves which have made levy payments totalling £15.9 million for steel and £9.6 million for coal to the latest date for which figures are available. The indus-576W tries have received from ECSC funds the following grants:
Coal
- £3.7 million for research.
- £4.2 million for re-adaptation, of which £2.25 million has been retained by Her Majesty's Government to offset its grant to NCB in respect of pit closures.
Steel
- £2 million for research (approved).
- £1.1 million for re-adaptation.
- In addition, the ECSC raises funds on the international money market which is new on-lends. Loans totalling £121.3 million have been received by the National Coal Board so far, and £444.6 million of loans have been approved for the steel industry.