§ Mr. Arnoldasked the Secretary of State for Industry how much money the United Kingdom received under the non-quota section of the European regional development fund during 1981–82; and what percentage this figure represents of the total non-quota section for that year.
§ Mr. MacGregorA total of 19.8 mecu has been allocated to the United Kingdom during the period 1981–82, representing 27 per cent. of the allocations made under this section of the fund.
§ Mr. Arnoldasked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he is satisfied with the level of assistance the United Kingdom receives from the non-quota section of the European regional development fund; and whether he proposes to seek an increase in the non-quota section of the fund.
§ Mr. MacGregorIn addition to 26.4 per cent. of the ERDF aid already provided under the first series of non-quota measures, it is proposed that the United Kingdom should receive 27.1 per cent. of the aid to be provided under the second series of such measures now under consideration. If this is agreed by the Council, it will be reasonably satisfactory. The Government have indicated that they would be prepared to accept an increase in the size of the non-quota section of the fund.
§ Mr. Arnoldasked the Secretary of State for Industry whether, following the 1982 redefinition of United 265W Kingdom assisted areas, he remains satisfied with the United Kingdom's eligibility for assistance under the quota section of the European regional development fund.
§ Mr. MacGregorThe United Kingdom's entitlement under the quota section of the European regional development fund is a fixed percentage, and does not change as a consequence of any redefinition of assisted area boundaries.
§ Mr. Arnoldasked the Secretary of State for Industry (1) how many areas within the United Kingdom received assistance under the quota section of the European regional development fund from (a) August to December 1982 and (b) August to December 1981;
(2) how much money the United Kingdom received under the quota section of the European regional
ERDF—Aid committed to the United Kingdom under the quota section of the fund £'000s 1981 1982 Total Of which August-December per cent. Total Of which August-December per cent. England 73,063 32,521 44.5 116,634 66,437 57.0 Northern region 37,703 19,622 52.0 59,576 18,187 30.5 North-West region 14,001 6,399 45.7 28,331 23,657 83.5 Yorkshire and Humberside region 10,235 5,838 57.0 19,988 18,137 90.7 East Midlands region 4,621 49 1.1 1,415 592 41.8 South.West region 6,502 613 9.4 7,323 5,864 80.1 Scotland 70,734 27,115 30.3 63,627 52,401 82.4 Wales 25,546 9,757 38.2 50,664 35,608 70.3 Northern Ireland 27,941 13,185 47.2 23,449 18,808 80.2 Total United Kingdom 197,284 82,578 41.9 254,374 173,254 68.1
§ Mr. Arnoldasked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he has any plans to seek an amendment to the present European regional development fund regulations so as to remove the link between areas qualifying for grants under the quota section of the fund and those in receipt of United Kingdom regional funds.
§ Mr. MacGregorThe regulation is made under article 235 of the treaty of Rome, which requires that the Council's decision should be made only on the basis of a proposal from the Commission. However, I would see no justification in a proposal that areas not receiving national regional aid should in general qualify for aid from the European regional development fund's quota section.