HC Deb 27 October 1999 vol 336 cc904-5W
Mr. John Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he received from the Welsh Assembly on Objective 2 funding for Wales. [95741]

Mr. Caborn

The proposals for the Objective 2 map were prepared having regard to advice from the Assembly First Secretary and the Assembly Economic and Development Secretary. Their concern was to ensure, within a total population coverage agreed for Wales of 270, 000, that the best balance was struck between coverage of disadvantaged urban areas and rural areas.

Mr. John Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which areas were identified in the submission by the Welsh Assembly for Objective 2 funding in Wales. [95742]

Mr. Caborn

The proposed Objective 2 map envisages coverage in Wales of parts of Powys, Newport and Cardiff. These proposals took account of advice from the Assembly First Secretary and the Assembly Economic and Development Secretary.

Mr. John Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the deadline for amendments to the draft map of areas of Objective 2 funding in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [95739]

Mr. Caborn

The UK proposals for Objective 2 coverage have been submitted to the European Commission, and these are now the subject of discussion with the Commission. We hope to have agreement on the proposals by the end of this year.

Mr. John Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what criteria were used to allocate Objective 2 funding to areas of Wales. [95740]

Mr. Caborn

The criteria that the Government used are set out in the document URN99/1021 "The Government's proposals for new Objective 2 areas", copies of which were sent to all hon. Members.

The criteria were based on levels of unemployment, in combination with measures of high dependency on industry or agriculture and a decline in those sectors. For urban areas, an index of local deprivation was used.