HC Deb 21 October 1993 vol 230 c332W
Mr. Fraser

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will press in the Social Affairs Council for a rollover facility in the current year for grants from the European social fund into 1994.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

In July, the Foreign Affairs Council reached agreement on new regulations which will govern procedures for making grants under the structural funds, including the European social fund, from 1 January 1994. The Government argued strongly for a rollover year or similar transitional arrangements during the negotiations on the new regulations, but in the absence of support from other member states was unsuccessful in securing them.