§ Mr. WellsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will present to the European Commission the Government's proposals for directing future European structural fund assistance towards the economic development of rural areas in England; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir George YoungI have arranged for the regional conversion plans for the six regions in England designated by the Commission for assistance under structural funds objective 5b to be presented to the European Commission today. Funding under objective 5b contributes towards the development and structural readjustment of rural areas. The plans cover the period 1994–99, for which £381 million has been allocated to England.
The six regions, with 1994–99 allocations, are East Anglia, £46 million—south west, £170 million—northern uplands, £84 million—the marches, £31 million—Lincolnshire, £41 million—and midlands uplandsDerbyshire/Staffordshire, £9 million. The plans have been lodged in time to ensure that the eligible date for expenditure on objective 5b programmes is 1 January 1994. Under the structural funds regulations, the Commission is required to reach a decision on the plans within six months of receipt.