HC Deb 23 July 1996 vol 282 cc230-1W
Mr. Wallace

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the number of objective 1 supported projects in each local enterprise company area within the highlands and islands and the value to date of the projects which have been approved. [38305]

Mr. Michael Forsyth

The information requested appears in the table.

LEC Number of ESF/ERDF projects Total European Social Fund and European regional development fund approved (£ million)
Argyll and the Islands 98 10.2
Moray Badenoch and Strathspey 49 4.3
Caithness and Sutherland 65 7.5
Inverness and Nairn 25 4.9
Lochaber 43 7.9
Orkney 48 3.4
Ross and Cromarty 37 6.9
Shetland 93 6.2
Skye and Lochalsh 43 3.4
Western Isles 91 19.7
Pan Highlands and Islands 277 28.2

The pan-highlands and islands category includes all projects which cover two or more LEC areas. Information is given about the value of European social fund and European regional development fund grants approved because firm information on total project value becomes available only when project claims are submitted.

Mr. Wallace

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many projects approved before 1 March by the project programme management committee of the highlands and islands partnership programme have not yet been started; and if he will make a statement. [38306]

Mr. Forsyth

Eight hundred European regional development fund and European social fund projects had been approved by the Secretary of State before 1 March 1996. One hundred have not submitted claims. However, in some cases where claims have been submitted the claim may be for preparatory work, such as professional fees, rather than for physical work on the project; and in some cases where no claim has yet been submitted the project may have started.

The precise information which the hon. Member seeks is in the process of being collected from project sponsors, in order to assist the management of the programme. It is expected to be available in the autumn; and I shall write to the hon. Member when it has been received.