HC Deb 03 July 1997 vol 297 cc262-3W
26. Ms Atherton

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has to secure objective 1 status for Cornwall. [5230]

Mrs. Roche

Eligible areas for the European structural funds will not change before the end of 1999. Once the Commission has put forward proposals for reform of the structural funds and these have been negotiated and agreed, the Government will then consider proposing particular areas within the United Kingdom.

My hon. Friend was part of the delegation of Cornish members of the House who came to the Department of Trade and Industry on 18 June while I was in Brazil, and I can assure her that the Government will pay close attention to the needs of Cornwall along with other areas of the United Kingdom.