EC Aid

HC Deb 30 October 1989 vol 159 cc30-1W

Mr. Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what agreement has been reached with the four county councils of south Wales for financial compensation to authorities who have lost eligibility for European regional development fund grant for major infrastructure projects due to delayed submission of integrated development operations to the European Commission.

Mr. Peter Walker

There was no such delay. The integrated development operations programme for industrial south Wales was submitted in advance of the date specified by the European Commission.

Mr. Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he held with the four county councils of industrial south Wales and the European Commission on the proposal for an integrated development operation.

Mr. Peter Walker

My officials held discussions during the summer of 1987 with the relevant local and public authorities following the European Commission's identification of industrial south Wales as a potential candidate for an integrated approach. The four county councils, along with the local authorities and interested bodies have been fully involved in the subsequent formulation of an integrated development operation programme which was submitted to the European Commission in May 1988. Against the background of the reform of the European structural funds the programme has since been the subject of discussions with the Commission which have involved representatives of the county councils.

Mr. Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he held with the four county councils of south Wales and the European Commission on the timing of submission of proposed integrated development operations to the European Commission.

Mr. Peter Walker

All the bodies involved in the formulation of the integrated development operations programme for industrial south Wales, including the four county councils, were fully aware that the European Commission required submission of the document by May 1988 and worked energetically to meet that requirement.