§ 36. Mr. McQuarrieasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will seek to designate all rural areas as less favoured areas in order that they may obtain the advantage of European development aid.
§ Mrs. FennerNo. In order to be designated as less favoured, an area must meet a number of criteria, laid down under directive 75/268/EEC, which include low fertility; below average economic output; and low or dwindling population. Clearly these criteria cannot be met by all rural areas.