§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the total support from public funds provided for the coal industry covering both operational and social costs for each of the past five years.
§ Mr. Norman LamontFor each of the past five years the financial support for the coal industry, covering both operational costs and social costs, has been as follows:
cost of providing 500 and 1,000 free units of electricity per annum to each of the following categories of consumer (a) retirement pensioners, (b) supplementary 147W benefit recipients, (c) family income supplement recipients and (d) those receiving mobility allowance, attendance allowance or invalidity benefit.
§ Mr. Norman LamontThe costs based on the unrestricted domestic tariff are estimated to be:
£m 500 units 1,000 units (a) 77 154 (b) 37 74 (c) 1.5 3 (d) 11 22 plus substantial administration costs.