HC Deb 01 November 1995 vol 265 c354W
Dr. Wright

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the regeneration of the former coalfield areas. [38668]

Mr. Oppenheim

My right hon. Friend the then President of the Board of Trade announced a package of measures totalling £200 million to help areas affected by pit closures. The major elements of this package were £75 million for training and enterprise councils, to be focused on training and business start-up measures and a £75 million English partnerships programme for factory and site provision. Assisted-area status was also granted to eight travel-to-work areas affected by pit closures.

This framework of regeneration measures is now in place in all areas and major projects are under way.