§ Mr. Charles KennedyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the Court of Auditors' report in respect of British misuse of funds in transfrontier projects in Northern Ireland. [1041]
§ Sir John WheelerThe Court of Auditors noted that the number of transfrontier projects was relatively low. However, it did not suggest that there was any misuse of funds or that expenditure was undertaken in ineligible areas or projects or that expenditure was undertaken that was at variance with the twin objectives of the Interreg programme. Indeed the independent mid-term evaluation of the programme noted that it had been very effective, particularly given the difficult situation pertaining at that time.