HL Deb 07 December 1993 vol 550 cc61-2WA
Lord Bruce of Donington

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have reached agreement with the European Commission on the implementation of Rule 9 of the European Regional Development Regulations, and whether they expect that all sums due to the United Kingdom from the fund will be paid before the end of 1993.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Strathclyde)

New arrangements for the treatment of European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) grants in the UK public expenditure system were announced in the House of Commons by my right honourable friend the then Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on 17th February 1992. These arrangements had been agreed with the Commission with reference to Article 9 of the then Council Regulation, No. 4253/88. It is expected that the vast majority, if not all, UK allocations from the ERDF will be committed to projects by the end of this year. A further two years ale allowed for payments of grant, which proceed pari passu with expenditure on the projects.