§ Mr. GallieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has for the future administration of European structural funds in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LangI am currently responsible for expenditure under objectives 2 and 5b of the European structural funds financed by the European regional development fund and the European agricultural guidance and guarantee fund. While my Department also has a co-ordinating role in relation to the Community support frameworks for the areas of Scotland designated under these objectives, the Department of Employment has hitherto administered European social fund expenditure in these areas.
I have agreed with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment that I should now assume responsibility for European social fund expenditure in Scotland under objectives 1, 2 and 5b of the new regulations. The responsibility for winding up ESF actions under the current programmes for objectives 2 and 5b in Scotland remains with my right hon. Friend, as does responsibility for the administration of Great Britain-wide programmes under objectives 3 and 4.