§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the President of the Board of Trade how much financial support Her Majesty's Government have given to the coal industry in each year since 1979, indicating what proportion in each year was to fund assistance for redundancies; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EggarGrant aid made available to the coal industry from 1979–80 to 1991–92 inclusive is set out in the table which follows. All payments under the RMPS and about 90 per cent. of restructuring grant payments can be classified as assistance with redundancies.
£ millions Financial Year RMPS1 Restructuring grant Other grants Total grants 1979–80 15 251 266 1980–81 15 254 269 1981–82 48 575 623 1982–83 80 520 600 1983–84 190 1,145 1,335 1984–85 200 2,414 2,614 1985–86 563 563 1,126 1986–87 610 882 1,492 1987–88 295 435 242 972 1988–89 171 255 42 468 1989–90 128 619 6,624 7,371 1990–91 93 141 0 234 1991–92 69 457 0 526 Total 2,477 1,907 13,512 17,896 1 Redundant mineworkers payments scheme. In addition to Government financial support, British Coal has been benefiting from the high margins, over and above world market prices, that the electricity generators pay for their coal supplies from the corporation. Under present contracts, which have been operating since April 1990, this assistance amounts to about £1 billion annually.