asked the Secretary of State for Industry how much money was received from the EEC to assist areas affected by steel works closures in 1976 and in each succeeding year to the latest convenient date.
The European Community provides funds to help ameliorate the effects of redundancies in the United Kingdom steel industry by providing, through the European Coal and Steel Community, readaptation grants direct to eligible redundant steel workers and reconversion loans at subsidised interest rates to projects expected to employ eligible redundant steel (and coal) workers. Allocations of these have been as follows:
| (£ million) | Readaptation Grants | Reconversion Loans |
| 1976 | 0·8 | 9 |
| 1977 | 1·9 | 1 |
| 1978 | 6·1 | 83 |
| 1979 | 7·9 | 59 |
| 1980 | 19·7 | 92 |
| 1981 | 36·5 | 92 |
| 1982 | *28·2 | *1 |
| * to date. | ||
asked the Secretary of State for Industry if the application for South Tyneside metropolitan council for inclusion in a programme for grant-aiding under the European Economic Community regional fund, non-quota section, relating to shipbuilding areas has been forwarded to the European Economic Community authorities.
The United Kingdom's programme for aid from the European regional development fund for shipbuilding areas has been submitted to the Commission in accordance with Council Regulation No. 2617/80 and is expected to be approved shortly. Applications for assistance in respect of specific projects will then be invited from eligible bodies including local authorities.