§ Mr. David AtkinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much the United Kingdom is to contribute to the cost of sewage treatment and other anti-beach pollution measures in other European Union member states; what contribution it is to receive from the EU towards the cost of similar measures in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. YeoI have been asked to reply.
The cohesion fund assists the poorest member states to improve their transport and environment infrastructure including sewerage systems. We contribute only 5 per cent. of the cohesion fund, substantially less than France, Germany or Spain. We benefit from the EC structural funds and expect to receive about £10 billion from 1994–99. Investments in sewerage improvements can be supported by these funds.