§ Mr. Woofasked the Secretary of State for Industry what assistance is given by the European Commission of the EEC as regards general regional aid to enable Her Majesty's Government to pursue effective policies adjusted to meet the needs of the United Kingdom's various regions.
Mr. Alan Williams,pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 6th December 1976; Vol. 922, c. 56], gave the following information:
The United Kingdom receives financial support for its regional policies from the European Regional Development Fund, with priority being given to national priority areas—Northern Ireland, the special development and development areas—as required by the terms of the Fund Regulation. Some of the money committed to the United Kingdom from other Community sources, such as the Social Fund, European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund, the European 153W Investment Bank and the European Coal and Steel Community, is also allocated on a regional basis.