§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps she has taken to review the existing criteria in determining eligibility for European Union regional aid; and if he will make a statement. [5376]
§ Mrs. Roche[holding answer 26 June 1997]: The regulations setting out the criteria for eligibility for the European Structural and Cohesion Funds are due to be re-examined before the end of 1999 by the Council of Ministers, acting on proposals from the Commission. The Commission are likely to give an initial indication of their ideas for the future of the Funds in a communication in July, with detailed proposals for amending the regulations 483W coming at a later date. The Government is looking for a package which is affordable, simple and more efficient, and fair.