HL Deb 10 February 1975 vol 356 cc1204-6WA
Lord LLOYD of KILGERRAN

asked Her Majesty's Government:

  1. (a) What sums have been received from or allocated by EEC sources for specific projects in Wales for the period 1 January 1973 to 1 January 1975 ;
  2. (b) The nature of these projects; and
  3. (c) Whether further sums are likely to be allocated or received for specific projects in Wales during the current year stating if possible the estimated amounts likely to be so allocated and the types of projects under consideration.

The LORD CHANCELLOR (Lord Elwyn-Jones)

The information relating to assistance in 1973 and 1974 is as follows:

Agriculture

Four projects relating to Wales alone and one of part Welsh interest have benefited during the period 1 January 1973 to 1 January 1975. The EAGGF grant in respect of each was:

Cheese and milk factory, Maelor £517,200
Llandyrnog dairy £198,581
Glamorgan and Monmouth- shire dairies £25,680
Johnstown dairy produce plant £87,103
Bulk milk collection in England and Wales £850,983✶
*The Welsh element in this cannot readily be identified.

The above projects were approved under the 1973 programme. The 1974 programme has yet to be finalised.

European Coal and Steel Community

A grant of £21,000 was made under Article 56 of the Treaty of Paris for assistance to 131 workers following the closure of coke ovens at Shotton. The new Betws Colliery will benefit from a £14 million loan negotiated by the NCB for developments at five collieries in England and Wales. In addition an ECSC grant of £10.44 million has been approved for assistance to redundant mineworkers in the United Kingdom. Men in Wales affected are chiefly from Coed Gae, Gresford and Pentremawr collieries.

European Investment Bank

Loans have been negotiated by the BSC for developments at Llanwern (£14.7 million) and a new sinter plant at Port Talbot (£8 million).

European Social Fund

Allocations estimated at £27 million were made from the Social Fund in respect of Welsh schemes in 1973. A further allocation of £2.1 million has already been made for 1974–75.

Further receipts and allocations may be anticipated in respect of Welsh schemes and projects but primary responsibility for applications does not in most cases rest with the Government and forecasts cannot therefore be made.

House adjourned at twenty-three minutes past nine o'clock.