§ Sir Sydney ChapmanTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister when the(a) business and commercial property gap funding scheme, (b) housing gap funding scheme, (c) heritage approval scheme and (d) land remediation scheme were finalised; when he expects guidance to prospective applicants to be published in respect of each of the above schemes. [125347]
§ Keith HillThe UK Government notified the European Commission of their proposals to use public sector funds to assist regeneration in order to comply with the state aid rules. The notifications were approved on the following dates:
- (a) business and commercial property gap funding—24 May 2002;
- (b) housing gap funding—8 July 2002;
- (c) heritage aid—13 May 2002; and
- (d) land remediation ('dereliction aid')—11 June 2003.
It is for the regeneration bodies; English Partnerships, Regional Development Agencies (including the London Development Agency) and local authorities to decide whether and for what purpose they use the approvals in their areas. Except in the case of the housing approval, 69W where English Partnerships has developed a standard appraisal process, they are responsible for any application forms and guidelines to developers.