§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Energy what has been the total of Government grants to the mineworkers' pension scheme over the past 10 years to cover deficits in the fund; and what has been the annual contribution for each of the past three years.
§ Mr. John MooreThe grant payments made, or expected to be made, for this purpose are as follows:
Year Grant (£million) 1973–74 8.3 1974–75 8.3 1975–76 18.0 1976–77 28.2 1977–78 34.0 1978–79 36.15 1979–80 41.08 1980–81 49.28 1981–82 54.28 Total * 277.59 * Made or expected to 1981–82.
These payments have been made under the authority of section 5 of the Coal Industry Act 1973, and of section 2 of the National Coal Board (Finance) Act 1976. The full payment in 1981–82 depends on the coming into operation of the Mineworkers' Pension Scheme (Limit on Contributions) Order 1982, which has been laid before the House of Commons in draft.