§ Mr. BattleTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what consideration he has given to maintaining outstanding commitments to projects or partnerships not completed by British Coal Enterprise at the time of its sale. [5887]
§ Mr. PageThe sale of British Coal Enterprise is a matter for British Coal. Where projects or agreements have been entered into prior to the completion of the sale these will pass, subject to the consent of the third parties involved in certain cases, to the purchasers of the relevant activities of BCE.
§ Mr. BattleTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if any European regional development fund grants paid to British Coal Enterprise will have to be repaid after privatisation. [5888]
§ Mr. PageWhere projects supported by ERDF grant and grant payments are complete, the Government do not believe that the sale of British Coal Enterprise or of its workspace activities, will affect the status of the projects or of the grants, provided that the assets continue to be used for eligible purposes and in accordance with the terms of the relevant offers of grant.
Where projects supported by ERDF grant or the associated grant payments are not complete, or where offers of grant are still to be made in response to applications from BCE, the Government will seek assurances from any prospective purchaser of BCE, or of its workspace activities, that they will complete the projects in accordance with the terms of the offer of ERDF grant, continue to use the assets for eligible purposes and comply with the other requirements, both of the Government and of European Community law, as they relate to the offer of those grants.