HC Deb 31 January 1989 vol 146 c185W
Ms. Quin

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what criteria were used by the Government in selecting the United Kingdom agricultural areas to benefit under section 5(b) of the European Economic Community's proposed new rules for the reform of European Economic Community structural funds.

Mr. Atkins

I have been asked to reply.

Objective 5(b) is promoting the development of rural areas".

The European Commission is to determine which areas are eligible; it has already assured us that they will include the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, rural Wales, and the assisted areas of Devon and Cornwall. The criteria for the selection are in article 4 of Council regulation (EEC) No. 4253/88.