§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the President of the Board of Trade when he expects the initial instalment of RECHAR programme moneys to be specifically allocated to the projects; and if he will make a statement on the reasons for the delay in the payments.
§ Mr. SainsburyIn accordance with the standard procedure for the European Community structural funds, the allocation is made by 11 area committees, each of which includes central and local government and European Commission representatives. So far, grant of £11.6 million has been committed to 129 projects, and a further £29.5 million of grant has been approved in principle to 359 projects. Further committee meetings will be held shortly.
In accordance with the standard procedures grant is, for financial control reasons, not generally paid on to final beneficiaries until they certify their own expenditure. So far grant of £96,000 has been paid to two projects.