HC Deb 07 April 1998 vol 310 cc162-3W
Mr. Watts

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the Government's response to the European Commission's proposals for the reform of the European structural funds. [36551]

Mrs. Roche

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for South Thanet (Dr. Ladyman) on 2 April 1998,Official Report, columns 662–63.

Mr. Healey

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations her Department has made to the European Commission over reform of EU structural funds. [36537]

Mrs. Roche

I have met Commissioner Wulf-Mathies twice to discuss reform of the EU Structural Funds, on 8 January in London and 19 March in Brussels. My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade has met Mrs. Wulf-Mathies four times, on 13 October 1997 in Brussels, 8 January 1998 in London, 25 February in Brussels and most recently on 26 March in London. Officials are also in regular contact with the Commission. In all these meetings, we have pressed the Government's position that the Structural and Cohesion Funds should be affordable, durable and fair.

Mr. Paice

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment she has made of the European Commission's proposals to reform the European structural funds. [36535]

Mrs. Roche

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for South Thanet (Dr. Ladyman) on 2 April 1998,Official Report, columns 662–63.