§ Mr. WeirTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she will commence planning for the review of assisted area status due in 2006. [28650]
§ Alan JohnsonThe assisted areas map is constrained by European Commission rules and guidelines which, based on past experience, are likely to change before the next review. If the timetable for the next map were to repeat that which led to the current map, detailed consideration of individual areas would start during 2005.
§ Mr. WeirTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the impact on areas of the removal of assisted area status by the implementation of the Assisted Area Order 2000. [28651]
§ Alan JohnsonNone. Assisted area status allows, but does not require, public authorities to pay regional state aid to companies in those areas; in itself it does not affect an area.