§ Mr. MaclennanTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 12 January to the hon. Member for Caithness and Sutherland,Official Report, column 718, what progress he has made towards the recognition of the highlands and islands in the list of objective 1 areas for the allocation of European structural funds; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Stewart[holding answer 23 February 1993]The gross domestic product figure for the highlands and islands has been agreed with Eurostat to be 79 per cent. of the Community average, and the Government have made representations to the Commission seeking objective 1 status for the highlands and islands. We expect the Commission's proposals to be published shortly and will be arguing the case strongly in the Council of Ministers when these are considered.