19Concessionary coal
(1)The Secretary of State may, out of money provided by Parliament, make such payments to such persons as he may think fit for the purpose of securing any of the following, that is to say—
(a)that supplies of concessionary coal are made on and after the restructuring date to persons who would have received such supplies from the Corporation under relevant arrangements if those arrangements had not been affected by steps taken in connection with the restructuring of the coal industry;
(b)that provision is made for sums to be paid in lieu of concessionary coal to persons such as are mentioned in paragraph (a) above; and
(c)that provision is made for sums to be so paid to persons who (but for any steps so taken) would, under relevant arrangements, have received payments in lieu of concessionary coal.
(2)The consent of the Treasury shall be required for the making of payments under this section.
(3)In this section—
“concessionary coal” means coal or other solid fuel supplied free of charge or at reduced prices; and
“relevant arrangements” means any arrangements which—
(a)whether or not they are legally enforceable, are in operation immediately before the restructuring date; and
(b)provide for the supply of concessionary coal or for the making of payments in lieu of concessionary coal.