§ Mr. Alex Carlileasked the Secretary of State for Wales whether Her Majesty's Government have made proposals for the restoration of aid from, respectively, the European regional development fund, the European social fund and the European Investment Bank, to the area of Mid-Wales covered by the Development Board for Rural Wales; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Nicholas EdwardsThe European Investment Bank has announced various global loan facilities under the new Community instrument by which small and medium sized industrial, service and tourism ventures in the non-assisted areas of Mid-Wales may benefit. Discussions are continuing with the Commission on the provision of European regional development fund assistance to that part of Mid-Wales covered by the Development Board for Rural Wales on the basis of the scheme of aid announced on 28 June 1982.—[Vol. 26, c.213–214.]. — Eligibility under the European social fund is primarily a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment in consultation with the Commission. The European social fund is under review and questions of geographical coverage remain to be determined in that context.