§ Mr. McLeishTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will list the areas of Scotland which will satisfy the criteria laid down, by the comprehensive regulations in the reform of the Community's structural funds approved by the Council of Ministers on 24 June 1988, for each of the following objectives:(a) to improve investment and productivity in deprived regions, (b) to rejuvenate declining industrial regions including urban areas, (c) to combat long-term unemployment which is affecting all age groups of the community's working population, (d) to integrate young people into employment, and (e) to encourage rural development as part of the reform of the common agricultural policy by (i) speeding up the adjustment of agricultural structure and (ii) promoting the development of rural areas;
(2) if he will make a statement on the impact of the Council of Ministers adoption of the comprehensive regulation of the reform of the Community's structural funds agreed on 24 June 1988 (2052/88);
(3) if he will list the areas of Scotland which will be eligible to receive moneys from (a) the European agricultural guidance and guarantee fund, (b) the European social fund and (c) the European regional development fund, after the adoption, by the Council of Ministers, of the comprehensive regulation of the reform of the Communities structural funds on 24 June 1988 (2052/88).
§ Mr. LangThe full implications of Council regulation EEC 2052/88 for Scotland will not be clear until the implementing regulations are adopted and the European Commission has made its decisions under the regulations on the eligibility of industrial (objective 2) regions and rural (objective 5 (b)) regions and on financial support. No Scottish region is eligible under objective 1 of article 1 of the regulation, whereas objectives 3, 4 and 5(a) may be applied throughout the Community.
§ Mr. McLeishTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the agencies or organisations which have submitted representations about the reform of the Community's structural funds.
§ Mr. LangRepresentations have been received by various Ministers and their Departments with an interest in the structural funds reform. Several have come from local authorities concerned about their future eligibility for assistance. No central record of representations is kept.
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§ Mr. McLeishTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he has taken to ensure that the Scottish dimension has been fully considered in discussions on the reform of the Community's structural funds.
§ Mr. LangThe Scottish Office plays a full part in determining United Kingdom policy on the reform of the structural funds.