§ Mr. Niholas WintertonTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement about the details of the European Community's RETEX initiative, and indicate what action he is taking to ensure that regions of the United Kingdom are considered for assistance under this project.
§ Mr. Sainsbury[holding answer 29 June 1992]: The European Commission has decided that grants under the RETEX initiative, for regions heavily dependent on the textiles and clothing sector, should be available only within areas designated for objective 1, 2 and 5(b) of the structural funds. Macclesfield is not so designated.
The Commission has asked the Government to decide by 4 December 1992 which parts of the designated areas should receive RETEX grants.