§ Mr. ClaphamTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will take measures to ensure that collieries closed by British Coal are put on a care and maintenance basis until he has explored whether or not EC funds are available to help meet the cost of mothballing mines.
§ Mr. EggarBritish Coal applies for EC loans and grants as and when these are available on appropriate terms. For instance, loans to British Coal from the European Coal and Steel Community for financing capital expenditure at deep mines currently amount to £99 million in total. It is for British Coal to decide how to finance any particular project or activity which it might decide to undertake.