§ Mrs. ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales how he expects the review of EEC structural funds to affect(a) European regional development fund assistance and (b) European social fund assistance to (i) Wales and (ii) Mid-Glamorgan.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerDiscussions are still in progress, on the basis of the proposals made by the Commission, on the future objectives for the structural funds. Agreement on the objective criteria for defining those areas which may, in the longer term, be eligible for assistance has not yet been reached. The need to consider those areas traditionally affected by industrial decline is, however, specifically reflected both in the EC treaty and in the Commission's present proposals.