Victoria Colliery, Biddulph

HC Deb 28 July 1982 vol 28 cc545-6W

Mr. Knox

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he intends to submit an application to the European Community for allowances, grants and so on to assist redundant miners at Victoria colliery, Biddulph; and, if so, whether he will give details of the application.

Mr. John Moore

Employees of the National Coal Board who are made redundant as a result of the closure of, or reduction in staff at, collieries receive substantial benefits under various Government and NCB schemes, of which the most important is the Government's redundant mineworkers' payments scheme. The European Coal and Steel Community reimburses up to 50 per cent. of the costs of some of these payments. The Government expect to submit in due course an application for such reimbursement in respect of redundancies during 1982, including any that occur at Victoria colliery. The extent of the ECSC reimbursement does not affect in any way the amounts and timing of the payments made to the people involved.