HC Deb 02 November 2001 vol 373 cc903-4W
Paul Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what the total value of(a) subsidies and (b) other payments made out of public funds was in each of the past five years to (i) farming and (ii) the steel industry in Wales. [12282]

Mr. Paul Murphy

The provision of state aid to the steel industry is governed by the Steel Aid Code of the European Coal and Steel Community Treaty. This Code only permits aid, in limited circumstances, for Research and Development, environmental protection and the permanent closure (not rescue) of a steel company.

Over the past five years no aid has been applied for and none granted under the terms of the Steel Aid Code.

Subsidies from the Common Agricultural Programme, funded by the European Union, total around £200 million per annum. There has been no significant change in the last five years.

Information about other payments is not held centrally in the format requested.