§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information he has as to the account taken by the European Community when assessing the extent of regional aid to be made available to an area and of the impact on existing and prospective industry of the character of existing industries in that area; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonIn deciding whether to approve member states' own regional aids or whether to grant aid from the European regional development fund, the European Commission has regard to a range of factors, including the relative need of the area in question for assistance with economic development. The character of existing industries in an area may be related to its degree of need. For certain ERDF purposes, areas which are dependent on industries which are particularly associated with Community policies may receive more favourable treatment.