HC Deb 25 February 1992 vol 204 c474W
Mr. Meale

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his statement of 17 February,Official Report, column 22, what contact he had with Commissioner Milian concerning the level and scope of the new business support measures in coalfield areas; what amount of financial resources will be concerned; and from what estimate they will be authorised.

Mr. Lilley

[holding answer 21 February 1992]: The United Kingdom RECHAR programmes sent to the European Commission in July 1990 all proposed that business support measures should be implemented as part of these programmes.

Implementation was delayed by the delay to the Commission's approval of the programmes in general. We have informed the Commission in outline about the proposed business support measures, which form one part of the programmes to be approved by Commissioner Millan.

I told the House on 17 February, Official Report, column 22 that, to contribute to the RECHAR programmes, the Government will shortly be announcing methods of new business support measures of our own to assist small firms in coalfield areas.

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