§ Mr. Wallaceasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what discussions he has had with the European Economic Community Commission regarding the eligibility for European regional development fund assistance of 104W areas within the Highlands and Islands Development Board area, which no longer enjoy regional development status;
(2) whether areas within the Highlands and Islands Development Board area, which no longer enjoy regional development status, will continue to qualify for assistance from the European regional development fund.
§ Mr. Allan StewartAs I indicated in my replies on 3 and 6 December, at columns 42 and 263, to the hon. Members for Ross, Cromarty and Skye (Mr. Kennedy) and for Caithness and Sutherland (Mr. Maclennan), the eligibility of the board's area for European regional development fund assistance has not been affected by the recent changes to the assisted area map.