§ Mr. WallaceTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what measures his Department is taking to publicise the funds available for environmental. projects and transport infrastructure through the EC cohesion fund; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what mechanisms are being put in place to allow regions in Scotland to take advantage of the funds that will be made available through the EC cohesion fund; what representations he has received so far on the subject of the cohesion fund; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Allan Stewart[holding answer 22 May 1992]: No assistance will be available to Scotland through the cohesion fund which was agreed in principle at the European Council at Maastricht. Under the protocol on economic and social cohesion, the fund will assist EC member states whose per capita GNP is less than 90 per cent. of the Community average—Portugal, Spain, Greece and the Republic of Ireland—provided they meet certain macro-economic policy conditions. No measures have therefore been taken to publicise the cohesion fund in Scotland and no representations on this matter have been received.