§ Mr.Richard Wainwrightasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what criteria are used by his Department in selecting schemes submitted for assistance under the EEC's regional development fund.
§ Mr.Guy BarnettThe Department submits applications for aid from the European regional development fund in respect of infrastructure projects to be carried out by public authorities in England. In considering whether or not to submit applications for assistance due regard is given to the regulation establishing the fund, in particular to the requirement that infrastructure projects should be directly linked to the development of industrial and service activities and to the priority to be given to development areas. Additional important factors which are taken into account in assessing priorities against the total amount of grant likely to be available are the relative severity of the economic and employment problems of the area concerned and the contribution which individual projects would make to relieving them.