HC Deb 24 February 1997 vol 291 cc46-8W
Mr. Salmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much EC funding to Scotland(a) in total and (b) by category of funding (i) was provided in 1995–96 and (ii) he estimates will be provided in 1996–97. [13797]

Mr. Kynoch

[holding answer 31 January 1997]The table shows the amount awarded to Scottish structural funds programmes from the European regional development fund—ERDF—and the European social fund—ESF. The data are provided by calendar year, rather than by financial year, as the single programming documents—SPD—allocate resources on an annual basis. New SPDs for the two objective 2 programmes for the period 1997–99 are currently being negotiated with the Commission. The 1997 objective 2 figures are therefore provisional.

Mecu/£ million (1 ecu = £0.73)
Programme 1995 1996 1997
ERDF ESF ERDF ESF ERDF ESF
North and West Grampian Objective 5b 4.4 (3.21) 0.96 (0.7) 5.08 (3.71) 1.11 (0.81) 5.12(3.74) 1.11 (0.81)
Rural Stirling/Upland Tayside Objective 5b 2.67 (1.95) 0.79 (0.58) 3.09 (2.26) 0.91 (0.66) 3.11 (2.27) 0.92 (0.67)

Further funds are drawn down from ESF under objective 3 and the human resource community initiatives—employment and adapt. These form part of UK-wide programmes, and the single programming documents do not allocate Scottish shares. However, in 1995 and 1996, 66 mecu—£48.18 million—and 77 mecu—£56.21 million—respectively were awarded to Scottish projects.

Scotland also receives funds from a number of Community initiatives. Initiatives represent some 9 per cent. of the structural funds budget and apply across the Community drawing funds from the ERDF, the ESF, the European agricultural guarantee and guidance fund—EAGGF—guidance section, and the financial instrument for fisheries guidance—FIFG. The table indicates allocations to Scotland, based on the value of Scottish CI programmes and Scotland's share of Great Britain or United Kingdom programmes.

Mecu (£s) (1 ecu = £0.73)
Community initiatives 1995 1996 1997
ERDF 9.020 (6.58) 26.65 (19.45) 23.557 (17.2)
ESF 2.336 (1.71) 6.805(4.97) 5.96 (4.36)
EAGGF-Guidance 0.568 (0.41) 0.736(0.54) 0.736 (0.54)
FIFG 0.586 (0.43) 0.888(0.65) 1.005 (0.73)

Scotland receives funding from the European agricultural guidance and guarantee fund, and from the financial instrument for fisheries guidance in addition to that indicated above. Figures are available only in sterling for actual and estimated expenditure for the financial years 1995–96 and 1996–97, and is not therefore directly comparable with the annual allocations contained in SPDs. The following table shows all of the EC spending on CAP on-farm schemes, the funding of marketing and processing schemes, FIFG expenditure, and reimbursed contributions for hill livestock compensatory allowances. It includes expenditure through EAGGF and FIFG in objective 1 and 5b areas.

£ million
Fund 1995–96 1996–97 (estimated)
EAGGF-Guarantee 347 426
EAGGF-Guidance 12 12
FIFG 5 4

Scottish farmers also benefit significantly from market support arrangements administered by the Intervention Board executive agency. However, expenditure in Scotland is not separately identified, and details are not therefore available.

There is also direct spending by the Commission in Scotland in other areas such as research and development and the arts. However, figures are not held centrally.