§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the European Commissioner responsible for the European social fund concerning the administration of the social fund in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [19180]
§ Mr. HagueI announced on 29 February,Official Report, columns 1024–40, that responsibility for management of the European social fund in Wales would transfer from the Department for Education and Employment to the Welsh Office in January 1997. My Department will be considering with the European Commission and with the partnership detailed arrangements for this work after that date, including the possibility of delegation to the free-standing executive body it is proposed should be established to manage structural fund programmes. I discussed the matter with Commission officials during my visit to Brussels yesterday.