HC Deb 27 June 2002 vol 387 c985W
John Mann

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to maintain aid to the UK coal industry. [62850]

Mr. Wilson

I am very pleased that we have reached agreement on a new European coal state aid regime. We fought hard to secure the flexibility to pay investment aid, and I am delighted that we have been successful. We are currently considering how the flexibility might most appropriately be used.