§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has made to the European Commission concerning the future of EU aid to the poorer regions in the United Kingdom as a result of the new definition of eligibility for Objective 2 funds. [28995]
§ Mr. HainMy right hon. Friend met Commissioner Wulf Mathies on 12 December and underlined the importance the UK attach to the continued receipt of Structural Funds support after 1999. The eligibility of the poorer UK regions will, of course, be dependent on criteria laid out in the Structural Funds Regulations which are due to be published next month. We are already seeking to influence these and my right hon. Friend specifically asked the Commissioner to consider the inclusion of GDP within the new Objective 2 criteria, as a more appropriate measure of prosperity. Indeed this would be more consistent with the approach taken with Structural Funds more generally and with the criteria applied to Objective 1.