§ Ms HodgeTo ask the President of the Board of Trade how much money Britain has received to date from the European Konver fund for arms conversion; and if he will give details of the projects the money has gone to. [30203]
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§ Mr. EggarThe purpose of the Konver initiative is to accelerate, with grants from the European Community structural funds, the diversification of economic activities in areas heavily dependent on the defence sector, so as to render them less dependent on this sector and encourage the adjustment of commercially viable businesses in other sectors. For Konver II, up to 1997, the Government have secured some £79 million, of which a first instalment should be received later this year. The UK was allocated some £18 million for Konver 1993.
For further details, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. and learned Member for Fife, North-East (Mr. Campbell) on 3 April 1995, Official Report, column 901–2.