§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what grants, loans or other assistance from any European Community funds have been provided for the development of harbours in Scotland; what have been the criteria for submitting harbour schemes for consideration for assistance; and if he will discuss with Strathclyde regional council a scheme for the development of Girvan harbour and its submission for European assistance.
§ Mr. LangThe European regional development fund provides the main source of European Community assistance for harbour-related developments in Scotland, having given grants of £38 million since 1975. The basic criterion for the submission of schemes, subject to the public expenditure framework, is compliance with the European community regulation governing the operation of the fund.
428WIt is for Strathclyde regional council to come forward with any proposals for Girvan harbour; until then discussions would be premature.