§ Mr. RedwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what grant money has been paid to the coal industry since his announcements offering £100 million to the industry. [134977]
§ Mrs. LiddellOn 27 July, I announced that the UK Government had formally applied to the European Commission for its approval to pay operating aid to United Kingdom coal producers over the period to July 2002. The European Commission is still considering our application, so no grant money has yet been paid to the coal industry under this scheme.