To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how much Government funding the UK coal industry received annually since 1997; and what plans there are to continue such funding. (175434)

Grants paid to UK coal producers in each financial year from 1997-98 are shown in the following table. The UK coal industry has received support through the UK Coal Operating Aid Scheme (2000-02) and Coal Investment Aid (‘CIA’—awards made in 2003 and 2004 for draw-down during 2003-08), both of which are closed. Details of both can been found on the BERR website. Two CIA awards have not yet been drawn down in full; any further qualifying expenditure must be incurred and defrayed by the end of 2008.