§ Lord Evans of Claughtonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will ensure that the Department of Trade and Industry uses its resources and influence to ensure that the allowances for the training and resettlement of the many people in the Wirral thrown out of work by the closure of the Bidston steel mill in Birkenhead in 1985, amounting to upwards of £3 million, are paid without further delays.
§ Lord Lucas of ChilworthThe allowance in question, in the form of the Iron and Steel Employees Readaptation Benefits Scheme, are funded jointly by Her Majesty's Government and the European Coal and Steel Community, and no payment can be made until the European Commission has approved the closure of the Bidston steel mill as one meeting their criteria for payment. Her Majesty's Government submitted the required application on 4th July 1985 and the European Commission's decision is awaited.