§ Mr. Maxwell-HyslopTo ask the Prime Minister which Minister has overall responsibility for negotiating entitlement in(a) the United Kingdom, and (b) England under the new structure fund of the EEC, under the heading "Objective 5(b)"; and what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards ensuring that the same criteria should apply in Devon as will apply in Scotland and Wales.
§ The Prime MinisterMy right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister of Trade and Industry is responsible for co-ordinating policy in this area, in consultation with other departmental Ministers including my right hon. Friend the Secretaries of State for Scotland, for Wales and for the Environment and the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. On this issue, however, ministerial negotiations in the European Community take place in the Foreign Affairs Council where Her Majesty's Government are represented by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and the Minister of State, my right hon. Friend the Member for Wallasey (Mrs. Chalker). The criteria for the selection of areas to benefit from assistance under objective 5(b) will be the same throughout the European Community.