§ Mr. Home Robertsonasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list the projects falling within his responsibility, which are being supported by the supplementary measures under European Economic Community regulation 2744/80, and to which his Department had not already been committed before that regulation was made; and how much additional money has been allocated for spending by his Department through the supplementary measures scheme.
§ Mr. Norman LamontAs explained by my right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury on 18 December—[Vol. 996,c. 390–92]—and 25 March—[Vol. 1, c. 329–32]—Community support under the supplementary measures scheme is enabling public expenditure programmes generally in the United Kingdom to be maintained at higher levels than would otherwise have been possible. Expenditure programmes throughout the country are benefiting accordingly. The scheme has not, however, opened the way to increases in domestic expenditure programmes beyond the levels planned earlier. The plans were laid on the assumption that substantial refunds would be received from the Community budget.
The Financial Secretary's earlier replies also include a brief description of the programmes receiving Community support. None of these fall within my responsibility.