§ Mr. Bruce GeorgeTo ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on what was agreed at the Luxembourg European Council on the application of the Structural Funds to sparsely populated areas. [21801]
§ The Prime MinisterAlthough an earlier draft of the Council Conclusions contained a reference to sparsely populated areas, the text finally agreed did not. Several Member States argued for a less extensive passage on the Structural and Cohesion Funds on the grounds that decisions are not needed before the Commission produce detailed proposals. I regret any confusion about this resulting from my answer to the hon. Member for Moray (Mrs. Ewing), on 15 December 1997,Official Report, column 29.