HC Deb 27 March 1996 vol 274 c646W
34. Mr. Charles Kennedy

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the progress of objective 1 projects in the highlands and islands. [21353]

Mr. Kynoch

Since the start of the programme, 255 European regional development fund and 554 European social fund projects have been approved for funding along with a further 20 supported by the European agricultural guidance and guarantee fund financial instrument of fisheries guidance. The total expenditure committed, including match funding from project sponsors, amounts to around £308 million. This is made up by £230 million, ERDF; £44 million, ESF; and £34 million, EAGGF-FIFG. A further bidding round is under way and funding decisions will be made in June of this year.