§ Mr. Barronasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the cost has been for each of the iron and steel European readaptation benefits scheme/employment and income security agreement schemes for each year since their inception in real terms and in comparative terms using 1985 as a base year.
§ Mr. Peter Morrison[pursuant to his reply, 19 June 1986, c. 612]: The cash costs of the iron and steel readaptation benefits scheme from its inception are as follows:
252W
Benefits paid to individuals £ thousands Administration costs* £ thousands 1974–75 2,103 57 1975–76 1,689 84 1976–77 2,000 169 1977–78 2,693 157 1978–79 4,969 97
Benefits paid to individuals £ thousands Administration costs* £ thousands 1979–80 18,807 422 1980–81 34,236 2,550 1981–82 105,374 3,447 1982–83 102,569 3,224 1983–84 45,758 1,491 1984–85 30,495 782 1985–86 21,330 n.a. * Not including DTI costs which are not available. n.a. = Not available.
ISERBS is funded jointly by the United Kingdom Government and the European Coal and Steel Community. The employment and income security agreement scheme is financed and operated by the British Steel Corporation. It is unable to provide details in the form requested by the hon. Member. I shall write to him with the information which the corporation is able to provide.