HC Deb 24 February 1997 vol 291 cc35-6W
Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will list the Pesca-funded schemes agreed by the EU for projects located in the Berwickshire area over the past 12 months indicating the title of the project, the amount of funding, the starting date for the scheme, and the date when the funds were made available to the organisers carrying out the schemes; [16986]

(2) how many Pesca-funded schemes agreed by the EU for projects located in the Berwickshire area over the past 12 months are awaiting payment for work completed; [16987]

(3) what factors have led to the delay in payment of Pesca funding from the EU for projects agreed in the Berwickshire area over the past 12 months; [16988]

(4) what steps he proposes to take to ensure payment of outstanding funds to organisations in Berwickshire undertaking Pesca-funded projects. [16989]

Mr. Kynoch

Pesca is delivered in eligible areas in Scotland through local Pesca groups—LPGs. The Scottish Office has approved a business plan for each LPG detailing the budget and criteria for selecting individual projects at local level. Each LPG has begun to implement its business plan and approve projects. Detailed lists of projects will be provided in annual reports from the LPGs for collation by the Scottish Office and transmission to the European Commission in June 1997.

The need to establish administrative arrangements which achieved the greatest delegation of responsibility to local areas while ensuring proper accountability delayed the operation of Pesca in Scotland. It is to the credit of all concerned that we now have an acceptable balance. The Scottish sub-programmes are now operating ahead of most of the rest of the UK. By the end of this financial year, the Scottish Office will have disbursed all due Pesca funds.

The Borders LPG, which incorporates Berwickshire, has a programme allocation of 1.34 mecu—£1,047 million approximately—for the period 1995–99. On receipt of a first claim from the group for expenditure defrayed in 1996, Scottish Office officials will visit the group to ensure that suitable administrative systems are in place, and a first advance of Pesca funds will be released.