HC Deb 17 March 1995 vol 256 c770W
Mr. Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the single programming document area monitoring committee concerning the division of European regional development funds coming to Wales between(a) local authorities, (b) the Welsh Development Agency, (c) other non-departmental public bodies and (d) other organisations; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Redwood

None. There are no such pre-determined splits between sponsors. Each sponsor submits its projects in competition with all others and, as a result of them being carefully appraised against agreed selection criteria, an eventual list of approved projects is established.

Mr. Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has had in relation to probability factors pertaining to the attainment of the anticipated levels of financial assistance from the European regional development fund to the Welsh Development Agency in ascending amounts corresponding to descending amount of grant in aid from his Department's budget.

Mr. Redwood

None.

Mr. Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had concerning the reconciliation of the project-by-project basis of assessment of applications for financial assistance from the European regional development fund, with the anticipated levels of assistance from the fund in the three years corporate plan he has agreed with the Welsh Development Agency.

Mr. Redwood

None. The agency will compete for funds in the normal way.

Mr. Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects the bids from the Welsh Development Agency and other non-departmental public bodies he sponsors, and all other bodies eligible for financial assistance from the European regional development fund will be entered for approval and funding under the single programme document for the calendar year 1994.

Mr. Redwood

Applications for the calendar year 1994 have recently been invited from all sponsors, including the Welsh Development Agency and other public bodies mentioned, and these are due to be submitted by 31 March 1995. All bids received will be carefully appraised against agreed selection criteria and in competition with each other and the successful projects will be announced in due course.