Mr. Robert AinsworthTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what are the consequences for an area which loses assisted area status with regard to objective 2 status and therefore access to European regional development fund and European social fund funding from the European Community.
§ Mr. SainsburyThere are no necessary consequences. Eligibility for objective 2 of the structural funds does not depend on national assisted area status.
The eligibility of areas for objective 2 will be reviewed after revised structural funds regulations have been adopted by the Council of Ministers, probably this summer.
Most European social fund assistance is available without geographical restriction.