HC Deb 11 February 2002 vol 380 c115W
Chris Ruane

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with the EU on the structural funds that will replace the Objective I funding programme in(a) Wales, (b) South Yorkshire, (c) Merseyside and (d) Cornwall. [33963]

Mr. Andrew Smith

The Government have regular discussions with their counterparts in EU member states on a wide range of topics. These include the implementation and effectiveness of the structural funds regime. As it is five years away, it is too early to speculate on the shape that Structural Funds might take outside the current financial perspective.