HC Deb 05 May 1988 vol 132 cc595-6W
Sir John Biggs-Davison

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about the official visit to Brussels by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, the hon. Member for Gosport (Mr. Viggers).

Mr. Viggers

I visited Brussels on 20 and 21 April, where I had discussions with the Commissioner for Regional Policy and senior officials of the Commission. Our discussions covered Northern Ireland economic issues, ways in which the Province might benefit to an increased extent from the reformed structural funds, the pathfinder initiative, our approach to preparing Northern Ireland for the completion of the single European market by 1992 and the European enterprise conference scheduled to be held in Northern Ireland from 28 September to 1 October next.

I was encouraged by the Commission's recognition of the Province's particular problems and its willingness to be as flexible as possible in assisting future developments.