HC Deb 05 May 1993 vol 224 c165W
26. Mrs. Ewing

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions he has held with EC counterparts on structural funds' allocation(a) in general and (b) on objective 5(b) status for areas within Grampian regional council boundaries.

Mr. Stewart

Draft regulations have been published by the Commission and are under discussion in the structural actions working group of the Council of Ministers. Until the negotiations on criteria for the selection of objective 5(b) areas are further advanced it would be premature to discuss possible financial allocations to areas bidding for inclusion.