HC Deb 22 March 1994 vol 240 cc147-8W
Mr. Mackinlay

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what funds have been allocated to Belfast Harbour Commissioners from the European regional development fund in each year since 1980.

Mr. Tim Smith

The information is as follows:

Year Amount (£)
1980 1,770,000
1981 1,100,000
1982 630,000
1983 450,000
1984 1,425,000
1985 750,000
1986 3,100,000
1987 5,462,500
1988 1,812,500
1989 1,500,000
1990 7,434,843
1991 30,584,700
1992 3,532,000
1993 6,787,500

Mr. Mackinlay

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what funds have been allocated to Belfast airport from the European regional development fund in each year since 1980.

Mr. Tim Smith

The following European regional development fund grants have been committed to Belfast international airport since 1980:

£ million
1982 2.108
1986 2.640
1988 0.999
1990 7.610
1991 0.314
1992 3.524

Mr. Mackinlay

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what funds have been allocated to Belfast Harbour Commissioners by the European Commission from sources other than the European regional development fund in each year since 1980.

Mr. Tim Smith

No funds have been allocated to Belfast Harbour Commissioners by the European Commission from sources other than the European regional development fund.

Mr. Mackinlay

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what grants have been allocated to Belfast airport by the European Commission from sources other than the European regional development fund in each year since 1980.

Mr. Tim Smith

Since 1980, Belfast international airport has not received grants from any European Commission source other than the European regional development fund.

Mr. Mackinlay

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what proportion of capital projects is eligible for grant aid to public sector bodies in Northern Ireland under the European regional development fund;

(2) what proportion of a capital project is eligible for grant aid to private sector bodies in Northern Ireland under the European regional development fund.

Mr. Tim Smith

Public sector bodies may receive assistance of up to 75 per cent. of the total eligible expenditure for projects assisted by the European regional development fund. Private sector bodies may receive up to 50 per cent.

Mr. Mackinlay

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what study he has made on the impact of the privatisation of Belfast airport on the airport's eligibility for EU regional development grants.

Sir John Wheeler

Following the privatisation of Northern Ireland Airports Ltd. Belfast international airport will continue in principle to be eligible for assistance from the European regional development fund under Council Regulations 2082/93 article 17.