HC Deb 22 October 1984 vol 65 cc424-5
7. Mr. Knox

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the total value of grants which Wales has received from the European regional development fund in each of the last three years and in the current year to date.

Mr. Nicholas Edwards

Net commitments for 1981, 1982 and 1983 were £24.8 million, £47.3 million and £45.1 million respectively. Commitments in the current year to date are £31.3 million.

Mr. Knox

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that the people of Wales are aware of that large measure of assistance from the fund to the Welsh economy?

Mr. Edwards

Undoubtedly those very large sums have been of great value in helping us to fund the kinds of infrastructure improvements that Opposition Members have been urging this afternoon. The total indentifiable Community commitment so far, including the European regional development fund and all the other forms of assistance, amounts to well over £1,330 million. That is a very substantial sum.