§ Mr. Roger KingTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress he has made in making arrangements for Northern Ireland to benefit as an objective 1 region within the European Community.
§ Mr. Ian StewartUnder the new arrangements governing the Community"s structural funds, objective 1 regions such as Northern Ireland are required to forward to the European Commission a "regional development plan" from which will be derived future claims for assistance. The preparation of the Northern Ireland plan has now been completed and the document will be submitted to the Commission before the end of the month as required. The document, which reflects Government policy in the main development areas, has been prepared in consultation with the Commission and with relevant local interests, as required by the EC regulations. I am confident, therefore, that the Northern Ireland develop-ment plan will provide a sound basis for the European Community to continue to contribute to development in the Province, in particular through its financial support from the structural funds for projects to be included in earning measures.