HC Deb 12 January 1998 vol 304 cc35-6W
Mr. Barry Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he will take to press for the restoration of Objective 2 Status to Alyn and Deeside; and if he will make a statement. [22100]

Mr. Hain

My right hon. Friend met Commissioner Wulf Mathies on 12 December and underlined the importance we attach in Wales to the continued receipt of Structural Funds support after 1999. The eligibility of areas such as Alyn and Deeside will, of course, be dependent on criteria that will emerge as part of the revised Structural Funds Regulations which are expected to be published in the next few months. We are already seeking to influence these and as part of this process my right hon. Friend specifically asked the Commissioner to consider the inclusion of GDP as a more appropriate measure of relative prosperity.