§ Mr. Hicksasked the Secretary of State for Industry how many projects relating to tourism have been submitted to the EEC for aid under the Regional Development Fund; and how many have been made to his Department but not then forwarded.
§ Mr. Gregor MackenzieThe Department of Industry is responsible for forwarding all United Kingdom applications to the European Regional Development Fund. Applications in respect of tourist projects are prepared by the Departments of Trade and the Environment, the Scottish and Welsh Offices, and the Northern Ireland Departments, in consultation with the interests concerned. It is not possible, for reasons of commercial confidentiality, to give details of applications involving private investors, and it is not desirable to publish details of other applications. When decisions are taken on the applications announcements will be made.