§ Mrs. EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many meetings he had with the European Commission prior to the submission of the assisted areas map on 15 June; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Stewart[holding answer 23 June 1993]: My officials, in concert with officials from the Department of Trade and Industry and the Welsh Office, held informal meetings with the European Commission prior to the submission being sent.
§ Mrs. EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish the criteria submitted by his Department to the European Commission in connection with the submission of the assisted areas map to the European Commission on 15 June; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Stewart[holding answer 23 June 1993]:In order not to prejudice negotiation with the European Commission no information on the proposed assisted areas map will be released until approval has been received.
§ Mrs. EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he had with regional and district councils prior to the submission of the assisted areas map to the European Commission on 15 June; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Stewart[holding answer 23 June 1993 ]: Discussions took place with a number of local authorities about the review of the assisted areas map. I had meetings specifically to discuss the review with delegations from Central region—including representatives from Central regional council, Clackmannan district council, Falkirk district council and Stirling district council—East Lothian district council and Midlothian district council. The views expressed at these meetings were noted and together with the written responses to our consultation paper, were taken fully into account in the review.
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