§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the allocation for regional aid made in the draft EEC budget for 1975; and what percentage of the total budget this is.
§ Mr. HattersleyI would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 4th November to a Question from the hon. Member for Moray and Nairn (Mrs. Ewing).—[Vol. 880, c.74–5.]
23W
§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement regarding the progress to date in agreeing a Common Market regional fund; and what specific undertakings in this matter he is seeking as a minimum requirement for the United Kingdom's continued membership of the EEC.
§ Mr. HattersleyDiscussions about the Regional Development Fund are continuing in the Community, but no decisions have yet been taken. One of our objectives in renegotiation is to ensure that we retain the powers we require to be able to pursue effective regional and industrial policies. But the Regional Development Fund, as such, is not an issue in renegotiation.