§ Mr. FatchettTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the Government's response to the European Commission's proposals for RECHAR 2.
§ Mr. Sainsbury[holding answer 22 February 1994]: The European Commission announced on 16 February its intention to launch 13 European structural funds Community initiatives for the period 1994 to 1999. The resources allocated to these initiatives amount to 13.45 billion ecu.
One of the proposals is for a new RECHAR initiative for assistance to coalfield areas and 0.4 billion ecu has been allocated to it. I shall write to Commissioner Millan to seek a substantial share of the new RECHAR for the United Kingdom.