§ Mr. SteelTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has made, and will make, to try and reverse the recent decision by the European Community that the Borders region was not eligible for assistance under objective 5(b) of the European structural fund.
§ Mr. Malcolm RifkindThe Government put forward a strong case to the European Commission earlier this year proposing that the Borders should be given eligibility for objective 5(b) of the structural funds, but the Commission did not accept it. The Government will continue to press the case as soon as the Commission indicates it is willing to consider additional areas for eligibility.