§ Mr. Ron DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many applications were received from local authorities in Wales for European regional development fund funding in the years 1992–93 and 1991–92; what percentage of their applications were successful; and how many of the successful applications reached completion.
§ Mr. David HuntThe structural funds programmes in Wales do not operate on a financial year basis. Four programmes are currently in progress in Wales, all of which include expenditure incurred in 1991–92 and 1992–93.
Of the 374 applications submitted by local authorities to date, 88 have been approved. Applications in respect of the remaining eligible projects are expected to be approved by the programme monitoring committees by the end of 1993.
Projects approved under these programmes do not have to be completed until 1995 and it is therefore too early to comment on the successful completion of these applications.