§ Geraldine SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what concerns were identified as part of the EOI Review about Lancaster city council's priority 3 economic development zone bid. [16696]
§ Ms Hewitt[holding answer 21 November 2001]: Lancaster's "expression of interest" (EOI) in an Economic Development Zone (EDZ) under the North West's Objective 2 Programme for 2000–06 was assessed as high priority and has since resulted in a fully detailed bid for EDZ status and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) funding. The independent consultants who appraised the EOIs met with Lancaster in October to discuss a range of issues around the nature of activity proposed in the EDZ, the scale of support needed and funding profiles.