§ Mrs. Margaret EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list in theOfficial Report those areas of Scotland he has nominated to the European Community Commission as being eligible for assistance under objective 5b, along with details of geographical boundaries, reasons for inclusions and the date of submission.
§ Mr. LangWe already have an assurance from the Commission that the Highlands and Islands (the Highlands and Islands Development Board area) will qualify under objective 5b. We have put forward a case for Dumfries and Galloway (West) (the travel-to-work areas236W of Stranraer, Wigton and Stewartry) on 19 October 1988. In addition, following discussion with the Commission, cases were submitted on 17 March 1989 for Borders region (travel-to-work areas of Berwickshire, Galashiels, Hawick, Kelso and Jedburgh, and Peebles), Southern Highlands (travel-to-work areas of Aberdeen (less city of Aberdeen), Banff, Blairgowrie and Pitlochry, Brechin and Montrose, Buckie, Crieff, Elgin (part), Forfar, Fraserburgh, Huntly, Keith, Perth, Peterhead and Stirling (part), and eastern Dumfries and Galloway (travel-to-work areas of Annan, Dumfries and Lockerbie). All these areas score well on a number of the criteria for eligibility under objective 5b set out in Council regulation (EEC) No. 4255/88.
§ Mrs. Margaret EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what negotiations he has held during 1989 with the Highlands and Islands Development Board in relation to any plan to be submitted to the European Community Commission for structural fund assistance to the Highlands and Islands under objective 5b; and when he anticipates a full plan will be published.
§ Mr. LangScottish Office officials have discussed with the Highlands and Islands Development Board the draft plan for the Highlands and Islands to be submitted to the Commission under objective 5b. The reformed structural fund regulations provide for consultation on draft plans with partnership authorities (bodies with a direct interest in measures to be funded under the structural funds such as local authorities). They are then submitted to the Commission. In response to the plans, the Commission will draw up a community support framework. It is too early to be certain how long it will be before this is finalised.
§ Mrs. Margaret EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to meet organisations such as the Scottish National Farmers Union, the Scottish Trades Union Congress, enterprise trusts and regional councils on the content of Scottish 5b programmes prior to the submission of plans to the European Community Commission.
§ Mr. LangMy right hon. and learned Friend has no such plans. My noble Friend the Minister of State met yesterday representatives of Highland, Grampian and Strathclyde regional councils and the National Farmers Union of Scotland to hear their proposals for a FEOGA operational programme for the Highland mainland under objective 5b of the European structural funds.