Mr. O'NeillTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the level in each year from 1983 of the social cost grant provided to British Coal to help it meet the cost of additional contributions to its staff superannuation scheme in respect of early pensions and pensions for redundant miners; if he will provide full details of the terms and conditions associated with these grants; and what provision is made for alteration of social cost grant levels if British Coal meets its contributions by using part of the surplus in its pension fund.
§ Mr. Eggar[holding answer 19 April 1993]: Grant provided to British Coal with respect to the staff superannuation scheme has been as follows:
584W
Year £ million 1983–84 3.9 1984–85 9.1 1985–86 12.5 1986–87 27.4 1987–88 47.6 1988–89 55.3
Year £ million 1989–90 59.3 1990–91 68.7 1991–92 72.1 1992–93 80.4 Total 436.3 Grant payments have been made under the relevant provisions of the Coal Industry Acts 1965, 1967 and 1987 and Coal Industry (Restructuring Grant) Orders 1987 to 1992. Grant will continue to be paid in respect of eligible expenditure by British Coal.