§ 11. Mr. Sillarsasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, on his recent visit to the EEC Commission, he discussed the subject of regional policy and if he will make a statement on his view of the regional policy document submitted to the Council of Ministers by the Commission.
§ Mr. Gordon CampbellAs I told the hon. Gentleman on 22nd October, I had discussions on this subject in Brussels with the Commissioner for Regional Development, whom I also saw in Scot- 1240 land last weekend, and others concerned. In the Government's view, the report on regional problems which the Commission published earlier this year and their subsequent proposals for the regional development fund provide a useful basis for discussion.—[Vol. 861, c. 434–5.]
§ Mr. SillarsIs the Secretary of State pretending that Scotland would be a net beneficiary because of the implementation of the EEC regional fund proposal? Given the small size of the fund and the spread over that part of Western Europe in which it must be employed, and given that the right hon. Gentleman will abolish the regional employment premium, is it not the case that the Scottish economy will finish with a net deficit?
§ Mr. CampbellI do not accept that. The fund is still under discussion within the Community. When I was in Brussels I had the opportunity of discussing these matters with George Thomson and Sr. Ruggiero, the Director for Regional Development, and others at an early stage in the development of thinking within the Community.
§ Mr. BrewisIs not my right hon. Friend very satisfied with the extent of Scotland which will be covered by the FEOGA fund?
§ Mr. CampbellYes. So far, the proposals are satisfactory for Scotland.
§ Mr. EadieThe right hon. Gentleman may be aware that my hon. Friend the Member for Paisley (Mr. John Robertson) and I went to Brussels and met the regional commissioner to discuss regional policy in Scotland. Since the percentages have been worked out for the disbursement of regional funds, can the right hon. Gentleman say whether, if Scotland does not receive a satisfactory percentage, he will be prepared to take the line that the Irish are prepared to take and, if necessary, veto any proposals that would mitigate against the best interests of Scotland?
§ Mr. CampbellI am very glad to think that the hon. Gentleman and his hon. Friend went to Brussels to discuss these matters. I am surprised that they and their colleagues have not gone to Strasbourg to discuss them. The hon. Member mentioned percentages, but all these matters are at an early stage of 1241 discussion, which is an important stage for a Scottish voice to be heard.
§ Mr. Bruce-GardyneDoes not my right hon. Friend agree that one of the problems concerned with regional development resources of the EEC is that, until now, the Community has placed greater emphasis in its regional policies on the encouragement of projects with long-term commercial viability and less emphasis than we have had under successive Governments on resuscitation schemes? Can he assure us that we shall be at least as much swayed by their principles in this matter as we hope they may be by ours?
§ Mr. CampbellMy hon. Friend has put one of the important points which need to be discussed between us as new members of the Community and the Six—the older members of the Community—which had already been having preliminary thoughts on this important subject.
§ Mr. MaclennanIs the Secretary of State aware that there is some concern in Scotland that the Government may use funds provided from Brussels as a substitute for funds provided by the central Government for regional development, that this would would be unacceptable and that any funds that may be forthcoming from the regional development fund ought to be in addition to funds made available by the Government?
§ Mr. CampbellAs I said, all these matters are under discussion. I have twice had an opportunity of speaking to the regional commissioner concerned who is well known to the House and who has been in the last few days on a visit to Scotland.