§ Mr. Silvesterasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will detail for Scotland and Wales separately and for each English economic planning region for which it is relevant, the number of projects for which he has received applications to the European Regional Development Fund, the number of such projects he has submitted to the Commission, and the number approved by the Commission from the inception of the Fund to the latest date.
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Mr. Alan WilliamsApplications to the European Regional Development Fund are prepared by several Government Departments including my Department. Industrial projects are generally identified by Government Departments as a result of their dealings with individual businesses. Suggestions for infrastructure projects to be submitted for fund aid may be put forward by local authorities and other organisations providing infrastructure.
The following table gives the number of projects included in applications made for fund aid and the number for which the commitment of fund aid has been announced. Other projects are still under consideration.
Applications 1975 and 1976 Fund commitments granted 1975 and 1976 Number of projects Northern 265 262 North West 167 167 Yorks and Humberside 130 105 East Midlands 26 26 West Midlands 2 2 South West 79 76 England 669 638 Scotland 268 265 Wales 239 239 Northern Ireland 97 97 TOTAL UNITED KINGDOM 1,273 1,239