§ Mr. Ron DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what principles will determine the allocation of EU Structural Funds to each of the UK's Objective 1 areas. [91455]
§ Mr. Wills[holding answer 15 July 1999]: On 1 July the Commission announced financial allocations of European Structural Funds for all member states.
The Commission used a methodology to calculate each member state' s financial allocation for Objective 1 which was based on eligible population, regional and national prosperity, and the relative severity of the structural problems, especially the level of unemployment. The allocations for each UK Objective 1 area have been calculated on the same basis.
§ Mr. Ron DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what allocation the United Kingdom has received of European Structural Funds; and what percentage take-up he estimates there will be for each year in the programme. [91454]
§ Mr. Wills[holding answer 15 July 1999]: From 2000 to 2006, the total allocation for the UK from EU Structural Funds will be over £10 billion (over fifteen and a half billion euros).
I see no reason why there should not be 100 per cent. take-up.