HC Deb 10 December 1997 vol 302 cc594-5W
Mr. Gill

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the redirection of moneys and continuation of projects covered by the European Coal and Steel Community after expiry of that Treaty. [18834]

Mr. Battle

[holding answer 2 December 1997]: The Commission has put to the Council a proposal that income from the reserves of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) should, after the expiry of the Treaty, be used to fund research and development projects in sectors related to the coal and steel industries. The Council has welcomed this in principal and is now considering the detail of the proposal. Research projects currently funded by the ECSC will continue to be funded in accordance with the terms of the individual offers of support made by the ECSC.