31. Mr. Robert HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions he has had with regional councils about European development fund grants.
§ Mr. LangScottish Office Ministers have had a number of meetings recently with local authorities and local enterprise companies to consider cases for designation under the European structural funds. The hon. Member will be aware of the Government's success in securing designation, and therefore eligibility for European funding, for areas covering close to 85 per cent. of the Scottish population under objectives 1, 2 and 5b. Close and regular contact will continue to be maintained at official level as regional development plans for the designated areas are drawn up.