§ Mrs. Ray MichieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will list the projects that have been approved for European Union objective 1 funding for the highlands and islands in the first round of(a) the European regional development fund and (b) the European social fund; what was the expenditure approved for each project and what was the total expenditure; and if he will place this information in the Library;
(2) what limitations apply to Government Departments for applying for European Union objective 1 funding for projects in the highlands and islands;
768W(3) how much finance from objective 1 funds for the highlands and islands has so far been earmarked for (a) energy supply networks and (b) transport infrastructure; and if he will list the relevant projects;
(4) if he will list the projects that were not approved for European Union objective 1 funding for the highlands and islands in the first round of (a) the European social fund and (b) the European regional development fund;
(5) if he will list the successful applications for European Union objective 1 funding for the highlands and islands which are located in Argyll and Bute;
(6) what has been the total level of funding from objective 1 funds for the highlands and islands that has so far been earmarked for each Scottish Office Department; and what this is as a percentage of the total expenditure so far committed to projects.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonGovernment Departments are able to compete for objective 1 funding on the same basis as other potential project sponsors.
To date, no funds have been allocated to the Scottish Office from the European regional development fund. Contributions from the European agricultural guidance and guarantee fund and the financial instrument for fisheries guidance of 47.08 million ecu, about £37 million, and 19.80 million ecu, about £16 million, respectively are expected over the life of the programme—1994 to 1999—in relation to schemes administered by the Scottish Office Agriculture and Fisheries Department for the benefit of farmers, crofters, food processors, fishermen, fish farmers, fishing industry organisations and local fishing port authorities and enterprises. Applications for support from the European social fund towards Government training programmes is made by Highlands and Islands Enterprise. These programmes will not take up any more than 40 per cent. of the European social fund resources.
In relation to the more specific questions on the first round of project consideration, as the information requested is lengthy, I shall arrange for copies of the tables to be placed in the House Library.