§ Dr. GodmanTo ask the Prime Minister what benefits have been brought to(a) Greenock and Port Glasgow and (b) Strathclyde from membership of the European Community.
§ The Prime MinisterStrathclyde has received substantial benefits from Community membership. Details of major financial awards are as follows:
Award (£ million) European Regional Development Fund (Grants) (1979–88) 367 European Investment Bank (Loans) (1978–88) 237 European Coal and Steel Community 1 (Loans) (1979–88) 88 692 In addition, Strathclyde receives substantial grants for employment and training initiatives under European social fund (£31.52 million for 1987–89). A regional breakdown of the grants from the agricultural guidance fund is not available, but Strathclyde has shared in the Scottish total of £385 million3 (1979–88).
The European Commission has also approved the Strathclyde integrated development operation worth over £270 million in regional and social fund grants up to 1992. A decision is awaited from the Commission on the Government's bid to establish Strathclyde's eligibility under the RENAVAL community programme for shipbuilding areas.
Greenock and Port Glasgow have shared in these awards, although separate statistics for the area are not available. Inverclyde district, however, has received some £34 million in regional fund grants since 1979.
Notes:
1 Figure relates to Article 56 reconversion loans. Regional breakdown of other ECSC assistance is not available.
2Excludes Strathclyde share of UK-wide schemes.
3 Excludes Scottish share of market support expenditure incurred by the Intervention Board for Agriculture.