§ Mr. FatchettTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list those projects that have been submitted to the European Union for inclusion in the Konver II programme. [14332]
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§ Mr. EggarI have not sent any projects to the European Commission. The hon. Member has misunderstood the procedure.
On 1 July 1994, the Commission published a notice outlining the purposes of Konver grants, setting out criteria for geographical eligibility, and inviting national programmes, not projects, to be sent to it by 1 October. After revising its views on the determination of the eligible geographical areas, it subsequently amended the date for programmes to 1 March 1995, when the British programme was duly sent. On 21 December 1994, the Commission determined the financial allocation available to each member state and drew up a "provisional" list of eligible geographical areas.
The national programmes set out the purposes for which member states propose to use Konver grants in more detail, but consistently with the terms of the notice. They do not describe individual projects. They also include member states' final proposed lists of eligible areas.
When, later this year, the British programme has been agreed with the Commission, applications for grants to individual projects will be considered by the Government in accordance with the terms of the programme. Allocations and payments of grant will proceed thereafter.
I am aware that many prospective applicants have, on their own initiative, been preparing applications for some time. The Government offices in the English regions, the Scottish Office, the Welsh Office and Northern Ireland Departments will be glad to advise them, so far as is possible while the final terms of the British programme—like those for other member states—are not yet agreed with the Commission.