HC Deb 12 January 1977 vol 923 cc507-8W
Mr. Kenneth Clarke

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what applications for contributions from the EEC Regional Development Fund were made by Her Majesty's Government in 1976; and how many were granted.

Mr. Alan Williams

During 1976 the Government applied for contributions totalling £62.1 million towards the cost of projects in the United Kingdom, and the Commission announced its intention to contribute £56.1 million. The remainder are expected to be included in announcements made during 1977.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, of the contributions made from the EEC Regional Development Fund to investment in the United Kingdom in 1976, how many supplemented assistance given by the British Government and how many were substituted for assistance which would otherwise have been given by the British Government.

Mr. Alan Williams

In 1976 the Commission agreed to contribute £59.1m. from the European Regional Development Fund towards the cost of Government and other public authority expenditure on 691 projects in the United Kingdom. Contributions totalling £27.8m. to-wards Government expenditure on regional aids to industry will be retained by the Government and the receipts taken into account in settling the level of Government expenditure on regional aids. Contributions totalling £31.3m. to-wards other public authority expenditure will be passed on to the authorities concerned and used to reduce the amounts borrowed to finance the projects.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what regional development programmes, and what precise planning objectives for each area for expansion in the United Kingdom, have so far been submitted by Her Majesty's Government to the EEC Commission in support of applications for contributions from the EEC Regional Development Fund.

Mr. Alan Williams

Under the Fund Regulation the first regional development programme is not due to be submitted to the EEC Commission until the end of 1977. Nevertheless, all member States have agreed to submit experimental versions from the beginning of this year. It is hoped that the United Kingdom's programme will be submitted within the next month. The programme is a description of the United Kingdom's regional problems and the measures being taken to deal with them; it is not a detailed planning document.