Less-favoured Areas

HC Deb 01 July 1986 vol 100 c515W

Mr. Livsey

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he has any further plans to extend the less-favoured areas in Wales.

Mr. Nicholas Edwards

It is not within my power to extend the less-favoured areas in Wales. The EC Council of Ministers approved a redefinition of the LFAs in England and Wales in February 1984 and representations against exclusion from the redefined areas were invited. Some 2,000 such representations have been received in Wales and these are now being examined. If any of the areas subject to representations meet the criteria laid down for designation as LFA, a case for further adjustment of the United Kingdom's LFA line will be put to the European Commission for consideration.