§ Mr. Eric ClarkeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the progress he has made in allocating resources to help with the regeneration of Scotland's former coalmining communities. [64628]
§ Mr. MacdonaldScotland's former coalmining communities will benefit from a share of the £10 million being made available in recognition of miners' pension fund surpluses. In addition, we are making £1 million available to help these communities. I will be announcing details about how we will be targeting the funding for these communities, following consultation with Scottish Enterprise, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and the Scottish Region of the Coalfield Communities Campaign. We will ensure that it is deployed to complement the range of initiatives already underway, including the new Social Inclusion Partnerships, which will be supported by £48 million over the next 3 years, for which former coalfield areas are eligible.