asked the Secretary of State for Industry what response he has had to the latest representations made by Her Majesty's Government to the EEC, in relation to aid for areas affected by steel closures.

We are continuing to make maximum use of the various types of aid already available from the European Coal and Steel Community. In addition, we are currently pressing for more of the proposed non-quota aid from the European regional development fund to be allocated to the United Kingdom, and to the steel closure areas in particular. We have also applied for aid from the European social fund to help retraining in steel closure areas.