§ Mr. HardyTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what additional funding would be provided for the Rotherham area in each of the next three years if it were to receive its share of the total sum available from EC funds under the Community's regional support arrangements; and what is his estimate of the funds which this area will receive in each of the next three years.
§ Mr. Leigh[holding answer 7 May 1991]: Decisions on the future level of funding for the United Kingdom's objective 2 regions will be made by the Commission shortly. For the Community's RECHAR initiative the Commission has already announced the level of funding for Great Britain.
It is not, however, possible to estimate what funding any particular area will receive since project selection is a matter for programme co-ordinating committees to consider.
§ Mr. HardyTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he is now taking to ensure that areas affected by contraction of the mining industry receive the benefit of the funds which are available from the EC.
§ Mr. Leigh[holding answer 7 May 1991]: The United Kingdom Government submitted their applications under the RECHAR programme for coalmining areas on 26 July 1990. My right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Trade and Industry, for Northern Ireland, for Wales and for Scotland, and other Ministers met Mr. Bruce Milian, EC Commissioner for regional policy, on 25 April when, among other EC structural fund issues, the Commission's approval of these programmes was discussed. Discussions are continuing at official level to resolve any outstanding questions so that early approval to these programmes may be given.