§ Mrs. EllmanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to minimise delays in the Merseyside Objective 1 programme as a result of rulings made by the Competition Directorate in the European Commission. [137523]
§ Ms Beverley HughesThere is no delay in implementing the Merseyside Objective One programme. It is proceeding well in line with the timetable agreed with the European Commission and the first projects to receive funding will be announced in the next couple of weeks.
Some of the projects intended to deliver part of the programme include substantial physical works involving identified private sector developers. Such projects must adhere to the EC's rules on state aid.
Proposals for securing approval of projects of this kind have been put to the European Commission. We are in constructive dialogue with the EC on this issue and we expect a positive response to our proposals shortly.