§ Mr. Barry FieldTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the EC rules for designating a region in a member state for the purposes of(a) objectives 1, 2 and 3 funding and (b) other structural funding; and if each individual member can unilaterally designate (a) an offshore island and (b) other small areas as a region to enable it to qualify for funding. [17135]
§ Mr. OppenheimThe criteria for eligibility for objective 1 grants from the EC structural funds are set out in article 8 of Council regulation (EEC) 2052/88 as amended by Council regulation (EEC) 2081/93—OJL 193, 31.7.93. The criteria and procedures for designation for eligibility for objective 2 grants are set out in article 9.
Eligibility for objective 3 grants is not defined geographically.
The objective 1 areas are listed in an annex to the regulation, and are therefore decided by the Council. Objective 2 areas are decided by the Commission following proposals from the member states. Member states cannot designate areas unilaterally.