Assisted Areas Map (Hansard, 10 April 2000)

§ Mr. Redwood
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the minimum size of area required for inclusion in a regional aid map. [116594]

§ Mr. Byers
[holding answer 28 March 2000]: Under the Commission guidelines, areas must have a minimum population of 100,000.

§ Mr. Redwood
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has had a reply from the European Commission about the regional aid map he has sent it. [116593]

§ Mr. Byers
[holding answer 28 March 2000]: Yes.

§ Mr. Redwood
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what geographical units have been used for selecting the areas on the new regional aid map. [116596]

§ Mr. Byers
[holding answer 28 March 2000]: Our proposals for the new Assisted Areas map are based on an aggregation of wards.

§ Mr. Kilfoyle
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the current state of the discussions with the European Commission on the new Assisted Areas Map. [118734]

§ Mr. Caborn
The Government's proposals for new Assisted Areas were published in the booklet, "The Government's Proposals for New Assisted Areas", on 15 July 1999. A copy of the proposals was placed in the Library. The proposals were submitted to the European Commission for approval as required by Community law.
The European Commission have informed us that the proposals published in July cannot be accepted. They have stated that the proposals, as drafted, would give the United Kingdom an unfair advantage against other member states. The Commission have further stated that if revised proposals are not submitted, they will begin a procedure under Article 88(2) of the EC Treaty. Such a procedure could delay agreement on the new Assisted Areas for up to six months.
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In light of this situation and the damage that would be caused by an extended delay in the approval of the new Assisted Areas, the Government intend to submit revised proposals to meet the Commission's concerns. The amendments to the July proposals are being published today in the booklet "Amendments to the Government's Proposals for New Assisted Areas". A copy of the booklet is being distributed to each Member and a copy will be placed in the Library. There will be a three week consultation period on the amendments.