§ Sir Teddy TaylorTo ask the President of the Board of Trade in what circumstances Her Majesty's Government have the right to pay subsidies to British Coal without first seeking the approval of the European Commission.
§ Mr. EggarUnder decision 2064/86/ECSC, all state aids by member states to their coal industries must be approved by the European Commission.
§ Sir Teddy TaylorTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what advice has been given by the European Commission on its policy relating to future requests from the member states of the EC on subsidies to coal mining; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EggarThe agreed policy under which the Commission may give authorisation for state aids to member states' coal industries is set out in current decision—2064/86/ECSC. This decision stipulates that such aid must help to achieve one or more of the following objectives:
- Improvement of competitivity of the coal industry, which contributes to assure a better security of supply.
- Creating new capacities provided that they are economically viable.
- Solving the social and regional problems related to developments in the coal industry.
§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what public expenditure will be involved in the measures required to safely seal and to protect against future aquifer contamination the 31 coal mines the closure of which has been recently announced.
§ Mr. EggarThe total level of expenditure involved will depend on the decisions eventually taken on the future of these pits. The expenditure at any particular pit that is closed depends on the geological circumstances.