§ Mr. Sean HughesTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) what payments were received by the Department of Trade and Industry, following the closure of Bidston Steel plant in 1985, from(a) Allied Steel and 146W Wire and (b) the European Community fund, to enable former employees of Bidston Steel to embark on training courses;
(2) how many of those made redundant from Bidston Steel received their training benefit exclusively from the iron and steel employees readaptation benefit scheme; and how many received some or all their benefit from monies made available by Allied Steel and Wire.
§ Mr. AtkinsTwenty-three ex-Bidston steel workers have been approved for training exclusively under the normal iron and steel employees readaptation benefits scheme—(ISERBS)—cost-sharing arrangements between the Department of Trade and Industry and the European Commission. For the remaining 143 men, only training costs falling within the statutory ISERBS entitlement period were similarly funded. The Department has claimed from the European Commission half of the £1.2 million paid out. Most but not all of this sum has now been received.
In addition, costs of exceptionally providing training beyond entitlement periods, amounting to around £1 million (to end September 1987) have been paid by the Department of Trade and Industry. No contribution from the European Commission is anticipated but Allied Steel and Wire has agreed to pay up to £200,000 towards these costs.
§ Mr. Sean HughesTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many of those made redundant from Bidston Steel subsequently received training benefit; and for how many weeks in each case.
§ Mr. AtkinsOne hundred and sixty-six ISERBS beneficiaries were approved for training. The number of weeks training in each case is as follows:
A B Number of weeks training approved Beneficiaries 50 to 52 83 45 to 49 7 40 to 44 60 35 to 39 3 30 to 34 1 25 to 29 1 15 to 19 1 10 to 14 4 5 to 9 1 1 to 4 5 166