Coal Industry (Grants) (Hansard, 31 July 1981)

§ Mr. Skeet
asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will give a detailed analysis of the expenditure of the 578W grants totalling £347 million that have already been paid under the provisions of the Coal Industry Acts 1973 and 1977 in 1980.

§ Mr. John Moore
Three hundred and forty-seven million pounds is the total of grants counting against the limit in section 4 of the Coal Industry Act 1980 which were actually paid to the board in the two years to 31 March 1980. The figure comprises:

£ million

Coke stocking 26

Coking coal 9

Grants to promote sales of coal to electricity Boards 19

Deficit Grant 293

TOTAL 347

The total of grant to be paid in respect of the two financial years of the board ending on 29 March 1980 arid 28 March 1981 is £364 million. An analysis is given note 8 to the board's published accounts for 1980–81.

§ Mr. Skeet
asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will compare the total grants of £450 million under the Coal Industry Acts in 1981–82 with the figures for each of the past 10 years, particularising in each year the totals of social grants and operational grants.

§ Mr. John Moore
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced on 16 June that operating and deficit grants to the National Coal Board would amount to some £450 million this year, with about a further £100 million by way of social grants.
The amounts of grant paid in respect of each of the past 10 years, which reveal the significant increase in Government support for the industry, are as follows:

Social Grants^* Other Grants Total

£ million £ million £ million

1980–81 79.0 174.9 253.9

1979–80 62.0 189.1 251.1

1978–79 54.3 117.7 172.0

1977–78 51.0 24.0 75.0

1976–77 43.4 11.1 54.5

1975–76 32.4 nil 32.4

1974–75 22.1 46.1 68.2

1973–74‡ 21.0 109.1 130.1

1972–73‡ 15.4 nil 15.4

1971–72‡ 10.3 nil 10.3

^* Including grants in respect of social costs, and contributions towards increased pensions. In addition, pneumoconiosis compensation was paid in the following years:

£ million

1980–81 1.0

1975–76 40.0

1974–75 60.0

† Including deficit, operating, and regional grands.

‡ The figures for these years are exclusive of further Government grants as follows:

1973–74
£ million
1972–73
£ million
1971–72
£ million

to meet revenue deficiencies 130.7 174.6 100.0

to meet fixed asset write offs nil 275.0 nil

TOTAL 130.7 449.6 100.0

	£ million
Coke stocking	26
Coking coal	9
Grants to promote sales of coal to electricity Boards	19
Deficit Grant	293
TOTAL	347

	Social Grants^*	Other Grants	Total
	£ million	£ million	£ million
1980–81	79.0	174.9	253.9
1979–80	62.0	189.1	251.1
1978–79	54.3	117.7	172.0
1977–78	51.0	24.0	75.0
1976–77	43.4	11.1	54.5
1975–76	32.4	nil	32.4
1974–75	22.1	46.1	68.2
1973–74‡	21.0	109.1	130.1
1972–73‡	15.4	nil	15.4
1971–72‡	10.3	nil	10.3
^* Including grants in respect of social costs, and contributions towards increased pensions. In addition, pneumoconiosis compensation was paid in the following years:

	1973–74 £ million	1972–73 £ million	1971–72 £ million
to meet revenue deficiencies	130.7	174.6	100.0
to meet fixed asset write offs	nil	275.0	nil
TOTAL	130.7	449.6	100.0