§ Dr. CableTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much was spent on the Iron and Steel Employees Re-adaptation Benefits Scheme in(a) 1998–99, (b) 1999–00 and (c) 2002–01; what the budget is for 2001–02; and if she will make a statement. [78290]
§ Alan JohnsonThe current Iron and Steel Employees Re-adaptation Scheme (ISERBS) was introduced in May 2001 and the following amounts have been paid to eligible redundant steel industry workers:
£ 2001 to 2002 20,182,240 2002 to 2003 18,637,920 1 by 12 November of which approximately 45 per cent will be recouped from the European Commission The Government will continue to make ISERBS payments to eligible individuals as necessary.
Payments relating to the earlier ISERBS scheme, terminated in 1994, but under which there was residual commitment to pay a small number of individuals who attained entitlement in 1994 but whose redundancy was delayed, were as follows:
£ 1998 to 1999 193,689 1990 to 2000 103,713 2000 to 2001 NIL