HC Deb 16 June 1982 vol 25 cc277-8W
Mr. Mason

asked the Secretary of State for Industry (1) if he will give the total figures of financial aid received by the British Steel Corporation from the EEC, covering grants, loans and benefits for redundancy, training and welfare;

(2) if he will give the total figures of financial aid granted to the private sector of the British steel industry from the EEC covering grants, loans and benefits for redundancy, training and welfare.

Mr. Butcher

Substantial payments are made to redundant steel workers under the iron and steel readaptation benefits scheme, which is funded jointly by the Government and the ECSC. These payments are normally paid directly to the individuals concerned, and not to BSC or private sector steel companies. BSC has received some payments under the scheme by way of part reimbursements for costs incurred in training certain eligible redundant employees for redeployment within the corporation. The amounts of these payments are not readily available but are known to be comparatively small.

Mr. Mason

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will give the total figures of financial aid received by the British Steel Corporation from the European Coal and Steel Community, covering grants, loans and other benefits.

Mr. Butcher

The British Steel Corporation received in total £413 million in ECSC loans between 1974 and 1978. These were interest-bearing loans at the prevailing market rate. BSC has also received in total £13.5 million in ECSC grants for research and development.

Mr. Mason

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will give the total figures of financial aid granted to the private sector of the British steel industry from the European Coal and Steel Community, covering grants, loans and other financial benefits.

Mr. Butcher

Loans totalling £62 .3 million for projects under articles 54 and 56 of the ECSC treaty and grants totalling £1.7 million for research and development under article 55 have been allocated to the private sector of the British steel industry.