§ Mr. Austin-WalkerTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the impact on the number of areas in London eligible for assisted status if each London borough were treated as a travel-to-work area.
§ Mr. SainsburyDesignating assisted areas depends on the criteria set out in the consultation paper issued in June 1992. These criteria will be considered for all travel-to-work areas. For very large travel-to-work areas, including London, the situation in their constituent parts is also being considered.
§ Mr. MilburnTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what proposals his Department has submitted to the European Commission for a new assisted areas map; and when he plans to submit further proposals.
§ Mr. Sainsbury[holding answer 12 May 1993]: The Government's full proposals for the new assisted areas map will be submitted to the European Commission shortly. Proposals for enhanced assisted area status for the Barnsley, Doncaster and Mansfield travel-to-work areas, which formed part of the package of support measures for coal closure areas announced by my right hon. Friend last October, were cleared with the European Commission beforehand. Additionally, my statement about Swan 535W Hunter on 12 May indicated that the Newcastle and South Tyneside travel-to-work areas would remain as development areas, subject to European Commission approval: discussion with the Commission on this point is now under way.