§ 6. Dr. Tony Wright (Cannock Chase)What proposals she has for the future of regional assistance. [49377]
§ The Minister for Competition and Consumer Affairs (Mr. Nigel Griffiths)Regional selective assistance can play an important role in regional regeneration. We want to ensure that we use it most effectively.
§ Dr. WrightThe future of regional assistance from Europe and from home is under review. Will the Minister 562 say something about the report of the coalfields task force? We owe a particular debt to coalfield areas. The Government deserve congratulations on setting up and welcoming the report, which provides a framework for regeneration for all the pit closure areas. Will my hon. Friend ensure that regeneration of the coalfield areas is central to regional policy and that it is a central objective of the new regional development agencies?
§ Mr. GriffithsThe coalfields task force has brought together three Government Departments with coalfield representatives, English Partnerships and the chief executives of local authorities. The task force has recommended a wide-ranging plan of action to help coalfield communities, including continued objective 2 and RECHAR funding. The Government strongly support those objectives.
§ Mr. John Bercow (Buckingham)Does the hon. Gentleman agree with the view of the Trade and Industry Select Committee that, as the proposals stand, the UK's share of the European Union structural funds is set to fall further? What guarantee can he offer the House that he would resist any reduction at all, and that he and his right hon. Friends would readily apologise to the House if they had to concede such a reduction?
§ Mr. GriffithsI fear that the hon. Gentleman has confused selective assistance with European structural funds. In that confusion, he undermines the case that the British Government are putting to Europe to ensure that as many jobs and as many areas as possible are protected. That is the priority of the Government.
§ Mr. Gwyn Prosser (Dover)When my hon. Friend considers ways of using regional funds to support the former coalfields and the recommendations of the coalfields task force, will he take particular note of the problems of the east Kent coalfield and the closed pits of east Kent, which were closed by the Conservative Government without apology or compensation? Will he take note of the isolation of the east Kent coalfield and of the fact that, in the past, the area missed out on RECHAR and on the Conservative Government's measures of support?
§ Mr. GriffithsI have visited my hon. Friend's constituency more than once and I know of his concern, which he continues to press on behalf of his constituents. In the light of what he has said, it is important to ensure that there is an integrated approach to the matter by Government Departments, if we are to be as helpful as possible to industries that have suffered, such as those in his constituency.