§ Mr. McMasterTo ask the Prime Minister what discussions Her Majesty's Government have had with the EC in the last three years in relation to the definition, interpretation or implementation of the principles of additionality and transparency; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Prime MinisterThere have been a number of discussions at ministerial and official level. An announce-ment was made by my right hon. Friend the then Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on 17 February. I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Industry on 30 June at columns525–26.
§ Mr. McMasterTo ask the Prime Minister how Her Majesty's Government currently define and interpret the principles of(a) additionality and (b) transparency in relation to EC funding; in which ways these differ from those used by each of the other member states; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Prime MinisterArticle 9 of regulation 4253/88 requires that the structural funds have an additional economic impact in the regions concerned; and result in at least an equivalent increase in the amount of official structural aid in the member state concerned. The 459W Government fully support these principles, which are reflected in our public expenditure arrangements, details of which were set out in the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Industry on 30 June.
How other member states interpret the additionality and transparency requirement is a matter for the member state concerned and the Commission.