§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has to recognise special needs in coal mining areas more quickly; and how quickly it is intended to make such assistance available where collieries close arising from the current coal review.
§ Mr. Robin SquireMy Department is making available £5 million under the coalfield areas fund for assistance for areas which may be affected by possible closures. A total of £1.8 million is being made available to the Tyne and Wear development corporation, to support projects aimed at making land quickly available for manufacturing jobs. We are considering enterprize zone designation in areas affected by the possible closures.
These initiatives are part of the substantial packages of measures announced by the President of the Board of 594W Trade on 13 and 19 October 1992. Decisions on the implementation of these measures will be taken in the light of the outcome of the coal review.