§ 2.39 p.m.
Baroness WARD of NORTH TYNE-SIDEMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will make a Statement giving details of how it it is proposed to allocate the EEC Regional Fund between the various parts of the United Kingdom entitled to benefit.
§ The MINISTER of STATE, DEPARTMENT of INDUSTRY (Lord Beswick)My Lords, the arrangements for the Regional Development Fund have only recently been agreed and the Council of Ministers has not yet formally adopted them. The Government have not decided the use to be made of our receipts from the Fund.
Baroness WARD of NORTH TYNE-SIDEMy Lords, may I ask whether the noble Lord would kindly set out in detail all the various sections of the EEC which make grants from one source or another? I understand that very many grants are already in operation. Is the noble Lord aware that for the interests of the community as a whole in the United Kingdom, it would be very much simpler if we could all know exactly what grants have been made and what operations are already in action? It would be very helpful if we could have this information so that we should all know exactly where we stand and what money is in fact forth-coming at present.
§ Lord BESWICKMy Lords, I will consider what the noble Baroness has said and see whether I can help her, but the Question relates to the Regional Development Fund. As I have said, this has not yet been approved and therefore I cannot give her any more information about it.
§ Lord SELSDONMy Lords, may I ask the noble Lord whether he would care to draw more attention to the work of the European Investment Bank, and whether he is aware that the European Investment Bank has substantial funds available for allocation to regions of the United Kingdom? May I further ask the noble Lord whether something could be done to communicate the work of the European Investment Bank throughout the United Kingdom, particularly to British industry in the regions?
§ Lord BESWICKMy Lords, it might be helpful if the noble Lord were to put down a Question on this matter and then the information could be disseminated that way.
§ Lord HALEMy Lords, does the noble Lord recall that in the debate on the European Communities Bill, the then Leader of the House said that the Regional Fund would be an answer to the problems of Oldham? Will the noble Lord therefore resist any attempt to preempt the distribution in favour of any particular district until the problems of Oldham have been looked at?
§ Lord BESWICKMy Lords, I think that it is highly unlikely that Oldham, or any other area, would stand or fall as the result of what is given out of this particular Fund.
Lord CAMBPELL of CROYMy Lords, since the first payments from the Fund are not due until September and a Referendum is planned for June, should it not be made unmistakably clear in the development areas that these are chickens still to be hatched and that for fruitful incubation what first need to be counted are a large number of ballot papers in favour of Britain remaining in the European Community?
§ Lord BESWICKMy Lords, the development area should realise that this is a very small chicken. The net amount of money forthcoming will be about £20 million per annum ; and as the national Government are already distributing, or will be distributing, this year £430 million for regional aid, I do not think this £20 million will make much difference either way.
Baroness WARD of NORTH TYNESIDEMy Lords, in view of the noble Lord's answers to various supplementary questions, that there is certain information available, what is the difficulty in letting us have full details (as he was kind enough to say that he could) and why is it necessary to put down separate Questions when the answer as to the position has been given to various other noble Lords? It would help if we could have an answer quickly. May I apologise for being one of those people who tiresomely always wants quick rather than long-drawn-out answers?
§ Lord BESWICKMy Lords, I have already said that I will try to help the noble Baroness; but if she wants an Answer to a Question then, with respect, it would be helpful if she would put down the Question to which she wanted an Answer.
Lord CAMBPELL of CROYMy Lords, is not the position that about £290 million has been granted in grants and loans from the EEC in the first two years from the European Investment Bank, the Social Fund and also from the Coal and Steel Community, and that in the next three years about £160 million is due if present arrangements are concluded under the Regional Fund?
§ Lord BESWICKMy Lords, there is no need to tell the noble Lord that the Question relates to the EEC Regional Fund. I have told him that the net 6 amount coming to this country will be about £20 million a year. We are distributing £430 million this year from national funds. Therefore, it would be unwise and unfair to indicate to any areas that any of their projects depend on our getting any sums from this particular Fund. If the noble Lord wants to talk about any other funds, then he should put down a Question and I will give him the net figures.
§ Lord WYNNE-JONESMy Lords, is my noble friend telling us that this is really chicken feed for unhatched chickens?
§ A noble Lord: Addled ones!