§ Mr. Kenneth Clarkeasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what contribution Her Majesty's Government will be making to the financing of social projects to combat poverty under the European Social Action programme;
(2) what social projects designed to combat poverty in the United Kingdom are expected to be financed by the European Commission under the European Social Action programme.
§ Mr. O'MalleyThe Council of Ministers of the European Community approved in January a social action programme including the implementation, in co-operation with member States, of specific measures to combat poverty by drawing up pilot studies and projects. Draft criteria for the selection of schemes and proposals for the provision of funds by the Community and by the member States will be put to the Council of Ministers later this year. In the meantime the Government are considering what projects the United Kingdom might submit to form a part of this programme.