Horizon Programme (Hansard, 25 July 1991)

§ Mr. Dunnachie
To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make it his policy to extend the European social fund Horizon programme to Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Forth
The programme already applies in Scotland and project applications will be invited from organisations throughout Great Britain. In Scotland it is expected that most of the projects for the disadvantaged group under Horizon will come from the areas of Westerhailes, Castlemilk, Ferguslie and Whitfield. However, all projects will be considered for funding on their merit provided they meet the eligibility criteria of Horizon.

§ Mr. Dunnachie
To ask the Secretary of State for Employment which geographical areas are specified in his Department's guidelines for allocation of funds from the European social fund Horizon programme to provide job opportunities for the physically and mentally handicapped; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Forth
The Horizon initiative is targeted at two specific groups; those with disabilities and the socially disadvantaged.
Projects for people with disabilities will be invited from organisations throughout Great Britain.
It is expected that most projects for the disadvantaged would come from the following areas:
England—Newcastle, Middlesbrough, Bradford, Liverpool, Sheffield, Doncaster/Barnsley/Rotherham (Dearne Valley), Manchester, Salford, Wirral, Wolverhampton, Birmingham, Nottingham, Bristol, Lewisham, Tower Hamlets.

Scotland—Westerhailes, Castlemilk, Ferguslie, Whitfield.
There is no geographical restriction on projects in Wales, but they will be expected to be in or to clearly benefit those wards which show the highest incidence of urban deprivation.
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However, all projects will be considered for funding on their merit provided that they meet the eligibility criteria for the Horizon programme.

§ Mr. Dunnachie
To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what steps his Department is taking to advise and assist interested groups in their right to apply for funds from the European social fund horizon programme to provide job opportunities for the physically and mentally handicapped; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Forth
Initial guidance on the eligibility criteria for the Horizon programme together with information on the process and timetable for applying has been sent to over 700 organisations which have expressed an interest.
Further information and the application forms will be issued to potential applicants by the end of August. The deadline for the submission of projects will be the end of September.
The approval and payment of projects is dependent on the European Commission agreeing the proposals in our operational programme on how we intend to implement Horizon, which we submitted on 12 July. Approval is expected from the Commission in November, with the money being received by my Department by the end of the year, and payments being made to approved projects soon afterwards.