§ Mr. McLeishTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what were the total amounts of European regional development fund moneys allocated to Scotland in(a) 1988 and (b) 1983 to 1988, inclusive.
§ Mr. LangAwards of £94.9 million were secured in 1988. For the six years 1983 to 1988 total awards of £527.6 million were made.
§ Mr. McLeishTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the geographical areas or functions in Scotland which are currently eligible for moneys from(a) the European regional development fund and (b) the European social fund.
§ Mr. LangThe following areas have been designated under objective 2 (industrial regions) of the reformed structural funds and are therefore eligible for European regional development fund support
the travel-to-work areas of Dumbarton, Greenock, Irvine, Glasgow, Kilmarnock, Lanarkshire, Cumnock and Sanquhar, Ayr, Girvan, Dundee, Arbroath, Falkirk, Alloa, Dunfermline, Kirkcaldy and Bathgate; the wards of Argyll, Cornton, Gowanhill, Ballangeich, Kings Park, Torbrex, Borestone, Ladywell, Polmaise, Sauchenford, Whins and Logie in the travel-to-work area of Stirling.In addition, the Government have submitted cases in favour of objective 5(b) (rural areas) designation for the 704W Highlands and Islands, the intermediate areas of Dumfries and Galloway, the Borders, the eastern part of Dumfries and Galloway, and the rural parts of Grampian, Tayside and Central. The European Commission is expected soon to announce its decision on rural areas' eligibility.
Under the reform of the European social fund, which takes full effect in 1990, operations under objective 3 (combating long-term unemployment) and objective 4 (facilitating the occupational integration of young people) apply throughout the Community. Employment and vocational training measures located in objective 2 and 5(b) areas, which meet certain criteria, are also eligible for assistance. For 1989 applications are being dealt with under the previous fund guidelines.