§ Jon TrickettTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what state aid has been received by UK Coal plc in the last two years in the aggregate; and how this was apportioned to each colliery. [42221]
§ Mr. WilsonUK Coal plc has received £75 million under the UK Coal Operating Aid Scheme in the last two years. These sums have been awarded in respect of four collieries, apportioned as follows:
1081W
£ Harworth colliery 14,722,100 Maltby colliery 13,559,700 Rossington colliery 3,207,200 Selby complex 43,511,000 Total 75,000,000
§ Jon TrickettTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what communications she has had with UK Coal plc in relation to their decisions on shareholder dividends over the last two years. [42222]
§ Mr. WilsonThere have been no communications between my Department and UK Coal plc in relation to their decisions on shareholder dividends over the last two years.
§ Jon TrickettTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what approaches have been made to her Department by UK Coal plc with a view to extending the state aid scheme of deep-mined coal subsidy beyond its present expiry date. [42220]
§ Mr. WilsonI have received no formal request from UK Coal plc for an extension of the UK Coal Operating Aid Scheme, although the matter has been raised informally in meetings with officials.