§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the effect for Manchester international airport of the decisions on regional aid announced by the Minister of State on 28 November and, in particular, on whether aid from the European regional development fund will still be available for the further development of the airport.
§ Mr. Trippier[pursuant to the reply, 3 December]: Manchester international airport is located outside the part of the Manchester TTWA which has been designated an assisted area and would not qualify for the regional aid announced on 28 November nor, normally, for ERDF aid. However, under the terms of article 18 paragraph 2, of the ERDF Regulation 1787/84 which comes into force on 1 January 1985, aid may be granted for all or part of infrastructure investment projects which although not located in an eligible region or area, are situated in an area adjacent to such a region or area and are an essential complement to its infrastructure. In such cases, the ERDF's aid will cover only that part of the project which is necessary to the development of the region or area in question. The amount of the resources allocated for finance of the investment projects referred to in this paragraph may not exceed 4 per cent. of the ERDF's resources. The Department of the Environment, in consultation with the Department of Transport, is now considering an application from Manchester international 125W airport for European regional development fund aid towards the further development of the airport. If approved this would he forwarded to the EEC for further assessment from 1 January 1985, but no guarantee can be given that the Commission will support the application.