HC Deb 07 November 1996 vol 284 cc624-5W
Mr. Burden

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) how much money has been withheld from the United Kingdom by the European Commission as a result of the Government's decision not to participate in objective 4 of the European structural fund(a) as a percentage of the total United Kingdom allocation and (b) in pounds sterling for the period 1994 to 1996; [2403]

(2) what sum has been withheld from (a) the west midlands region and (b) the city of Birmingham by the European Commission as a result of the Government's decision not to participate in objective 4 of the European structural funds (i) as a percentage of the total United Kingdom allocation and (ii) in pounds sterling for the period 1994 to 1996. [2405]

Mr. Paice

Some 3,377 million ecu are available for spending in Great Britain under objectives 3 and 4 of the structural funds between 1994 and 1999. The objective 3 plan for 1994 to 1996 period, which was agreed with the European Commission, provided for 1,501 million of that money to be spent in the UK. The remaining 1,876 million ecu are available for spending in Great Britain under objectives 3 and 4 of the structural funds between 1997 and 1999. The plans for spending that money are currently being negotiated.

Mr. Burden

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what sums her Department estimates will be withheld from the United Kingdom European Commission as a result of the Government's decision not to participate in objective 4 of the European structural fund(a) as a percentage of the total United Kingdom by the allocation and (b) in pounds sterling for 1997 to 1999. [2404]

Mr. Paice

There is no reason to believe that any sums will be withheld by the European Commission for 1997 to 1999. Officials are currently negotiating plans with the Commission for the combined budget for objective 3 and 4 between 1997 and 1999.

Mr. Burden

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what factors underlay her Department's decision not to participate in objective 4 of the European structural fund, and what plans she has to review her policy. [2398]

Mr. Paice

We preferred to spend the joint budget for objective 3 and 4 on help for unemployed people. Officials are currently negotiating the use of the budget for 1997 to 1999 with the European Commission.