Baroness WARD of NORTH TYNE-SIDEMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether grants are available from the EEC Regional Fund for (a) the construction of a new fish quay at North Shields; and (b) the Kielder Dam project.
§ Lord BESWICKMy Lords, some assistance will be available from the Fund towards the cost of infrastructure projects directly linked with industrial or service activities which qualify for assistance. It is not possible to say at this stage whether these or any other particular projects will fall in this category though the Government would be prepared to consider the schemes mentioned as potential candidates.
Baroness WARD of NORTH TYNE-SIDEMy Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for that Answer, may I ask whether he is aware (as I am sure he is, as I understand it) that fishing ports are already being built in certain parts of United Kingdom? Since fishing ports require fish quays and it takes a lot of money and time to build fish quays, would it not be more helpful to the fishing industry to get on with the grant for the North Shields fish quay without further delay?
§ Lord BESWICKYes, my Lords, I agree absolutely with what the noble Baroness has said. All I am able to tell her in answer to the Question on the Order Paper is that on this particular project I cannot give any definite answer about assistance from the Regional Fund.
Baroness WARD of NORTH TYNE-SIDEBut, my Lords, there is not anything in this Question which refers to the Regional Fund.
§ Lord BOOTHBYMy Lords, may I ask the noble Lord whether he is aware of the need for grants for fish quays in the North of Scotland which may exceed the need in North Shields?
§ Lord BESWICKYes, my Lords, I am certain that what the noble Lord has said is correct. In answer to the supplementary to the supplementary question put by the noble Baroness, the Question I was answering was:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether grants are available from the EEC Regional Fund…I thought that that was what the noble Baroness put on the Order Paper.