§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will place a copy of the final agreement 11W programme for objective 1 for Merseyside in the Library; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir Paul BeresfordI have placed a copy of the objective 1 single programming document for Merseyside in the Library today.
The programming which the single programme's document sets out provides an important opportunity for Merseyside. It includes a broad range of measures which will improve the competitiveness of local industry, increase the skills and employment opportunities for local people and enhance the quality of life. These measures give effect to a strategy agreed with the European Commission and prepared in partnership between the Government and others active locally: the local authorities, the training and enterprise councils, statutory agencies such as English Partnerships and the Merseyside development corporation and participants from institutions, further and higher education and the voluntary sector. I welcome the constructive and pragmatic spirit in which all concerned in the local partnership have driven forward planning for the Merseyside objective 1 programme, which will continue to have the Government's full support.