HC Deb 15 November 1989 vol 160 cc288-9W
Mr. Wigley

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales by what date projects under the integrated operations programme of the European Community in the three counties of rural Wales have to be completed; and whether, in the event of some projects still awaiting completion on that date, there is sufficient flexibility in his arrangements to allow grants to be paid after the integrated operations programme terminal date to enable such work to be finalised without the authorities being penalised by loss of grant.

Mr. Peter Walker

The European Commission's arrangements for the administration of national programmes of Community interest (NPCI) provide that as a general rule physical works on projects to receive European regional development fund grant aid must begin before the end of the programme period and be completed within 12 months after the end of the programme period. Payments can be made for up to two years after the end of the programme period.

For projects receiving aid under the Dyfed, Gwynedd, Powys NPCI physical works should begin before 31 December 1991 and be completed by 31 December 1992. Payments could be made up to 31 December 1993.

Mr. Wigley

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his policy towards the maintaining and developing of cottage hospital facilities in Wales.

Mr. Grist

The term "cottage hospital" is not a formal designation of a type of hospital. The current concept which is closest to the cottage hospital is that of the community hospital. The Welsh Office's policy towards community hospitals was set out in the circular WHSC(IS)66 entitled "Community Hospitals" which was issued in 1974 and updated by the appendix to "Policies and Priorities for Health Services in Wales" published in 1985 and paragraphs 138 and 139 of "The Corporate Management Programme for the Health Service in Wales: Development and Change 1988–1993" issued in 1988. Copies of all three documents are available in the Library.

It is for district health authorities to consider the application of this general guidance to their local circumstances.

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