§ 15. Mr. Blakerasked the Secretary of State for Industry what was the amount of the assistance received by the United Kingdom from the Regional Development Fund of the EEC up to the latest available date.
§ Mr. Gregor MackenzieApplications for payment from member States are currently being considered by the Commission and some payments to the United Kingdom are expected shortly.
§ 24. Mr. Martenasked the Secretary of State for Industry what is now the estimated net annual receipt for each of the next three years for the EEC Regional Fund; and if he will make a statement about the uses to which such sums will be put.
§ Mr. Gregor MackenziePresent forecasts are that the net receipts from the EEC Regional Fund in 1976 will be £10 million, in 1977, £14 million and in 1978, £13 million. Receipts from the fund are payable after the relevant national expenditure has been made, and consequently a substantial proportion of our net receipts will be received in the period after 1978, because of the time taken to complete investment projects. Our policy on the use of receipts from the fund was explained in reply to Questions on 20th October.