§ Mr. Blakerasked the Secretary of State for Industry what is the sum which he expects to accrue to the United Kingdom from the ECSC in respect of the scheme contained in SI No. 908 of 1974 for benefits to steel workers made redundant or transferred to new work at lower rates of pay.
§ Mr. MeacherAccurate forecasts are impossible, but the tentatively estimated total of the European Commission's con-26W tributions towards the benefits to be disbursed under the Iron and Steel Employees Readaptation Benefits Scheme is some £9 million up to 31st March 1979. This estimate does not allow for any changes that may result from my review of the British Steel Corporation's proposed closures. To date the Commission has allocated some £1.5 million towards the cost of readaptation benefits.