§ Mr. MilburnTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on progress in discussions with the European Commission and the Council of Ministers in respect of member states being able to designate areas within their borders as eligible for objective 2 and 5(b) assistance; and when he expects a decision to be reached.
§ Mr. Sainsbury[holding answer 21 June 1993]: No agreement has yet been reached on the method of selection of objective 2 and 5(b) areas for the period 1994 onwards. This issue forms one element of the current negotiations on the review of the structural funds regulations. I do not expect the Council to be in a position to adopt the revised regulations before the end of July.