§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what meetings he has held in the last two years about future programmes to regenerate and develop the west midlands economy through the European structural funds; and what these programmes will be. [16226]
§ Mr. PageMy colleagues and I have on occasion met Commissioners to discuss matters generally concerning the European structural funds. No meetings have been specifically about west midlands issues. The west midlands will benefit from structural fund assistance through the following programmes already approved
West Midlands/Objectives 2 Single Programming Document 1994–1996.The Marches 5b Single Programming Document 1994–96.The Great Britain Objective 3 Programme.I expect the eligible parts of the West Midlands also benefit from structural fund community initiative programmes including, EMPLOYMENT, KONVER, RETEX, SME, RECHAR, LEADER and URBAN.