Lord Chelwoodasked Her Majesty's Government:
How much of the £5 million made available by the National Coal Board to NCB (Enterprise) Ltd. on 8th October has so far been allocated to alleviate unemployment in mining areas (a) for retraining miners, (b) for new business ventures, and (c) for established businesses; how much suport they hope to attract from the private sector; what Government funds will now be made available; and why so little progress has been made nearly six months after the organisation was set up.
1102WA
§ The Minister of State, Scottish Office (Lord Gray of Contin)The National Coal Board announced on 3rd August their intention to set up a subsidiary company, NCB (Enterprise) Ltd. It was incorporated on 8th October and the board of NCB (Enterprise) Ltd. held their first meeting on 30th October. I understand from the National Coal Board that the new company has received over 150 inquiries so far and these will be dealt with as quickly as possible. The resources available to the company will be kept under review, and the company will seek to tap additional sources of finance.