HC Deb 17 June 1993 vol 226 cc711-2W
Mr. Devlin

To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he has yet submitted to the European Commission the Government's proposal for a new assisted areas map.

Mr. Heseltine

The Government's proposals for a new assisted areas map were submitted to the European Commission on 15 June for approval. As soon as Commission approval has been received, the proposed new map will be published. In order not to prejudice

Cash value of guaranteed loans (£ million)
1988–89 1989–90 1990–91 1991–92 1992–93
North East 4.46 5.19 4.64 3.61 2.15
North West 6.76 10.13 8.59 5.43 3.55
Yorks and Humberside 5.25 7.47 5.13 3.33 3.75
West Midlands 4.95 6.32 5.93 4.71 3.56
East Midlands and Eastern 3.85 4.85 5.12 7.17 6.32
London and South East 22.01 41.62 36.90 27.32 17.74
South West 5.62 9.89 9.13 9.76 7.15
Scotland 4.14 7.67 4.44 4.29 4.33
Wales 5.45 5.34 3.47 3.28 3.39

negotiation with the Commission and to avoid uncertainty, no information on the proposed map will be released until Commission approval has been received.

Mr. Milburn

To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 7 June,Official Report, column 171, if it is his intention to publish the outcome of his Department's assisted areas review before the end of July.

Mr. Heseltine

[holding answer 16 June 1993]: I hope to announce the outcome of the review before the House rises for the summer recess.