HC Deb 17 December 1984 vol 70 c27W
29. Mr. Leigh

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what has been the total of public funds used to subsidise the coal industry since 1954; and if he will give any figures he has for comparable data for other Western countries.

Mr. David Hunt

Since 1954, grants accrued in the NCB's accounts, capital write-offs and expenditure on the redundant mineworkers payments scheme have totalled over £5 billion. I regret that comparable figures over this period for other Western countries are not available.