§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has for changing the administration of the European social fund in Scotland; what is the number of full-time equivalent employees required to administer the funds under(a) present and (b) future arrangements; and if he will make a statement. [19362]
§ Mr. Kynoch[holding answer 7 March 1996]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland accepted responsibility for the administration of the European social fund on 1 January 1994 for objective 1, 2 and 5b programme areas. Responsibility for the objective 3 programme and EC community initiatives was transferred on 1 April 1995. These major changes have required new administrative arrangements, which we are keeping under review to ensure that they are as effective as possible.
Presently, there are 12 full-time equivalent employees, in the Scottish Office and nine full-time equivalent employees in the four programme executives involved in the administration of the funds.