§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many public meetings have been held by the Coalfields Task Force in(a) England, (b)Scotland and (c) Wales. [48178]
§ Angela EagleThe Task Force held five public hearings in England. There were none in Scotland or Wales because the remit of the Task Force was to develop a programme for action for former mining communities in England only.
§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the budget for(a) the current year and (b) future years for the Coalfields Task Force. [48151]
§ Angela EagleThe Task Force's Report 'Making the Difference' was published on 18 June, and its work is now complete. There was no programme budget for the Coalfields Task Force; its members were not remunerated, and incidental expenses were met from my Department's administrative budgets.