§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the impact upon North East Wales of the Objective 1 status granted to Merseyside with regard to(a) the preparation of industrial infrastructure and (b) inward investment; and if he will make a statement. [47910]
§ Mr. HainI have no evidence to suggest that the designation of Merseyside as an Objective 1 area has had a detrimental effect on North East Wales. Indeed, the unemployment rate in Flintshire decreased from 4.5 per cent. in May 1997 to 3.9 per cent. in May 1998. Similarly in Wrexham, where the rate dropped from 4.7 per cent. in 1997 to 4 per cent. in 1998.
§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what are the prospects for the restoration of Objective 2 status in North East Wales; and if he will make a statement. [47907]
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§ Mr. HainThe Commission's draft regulations for the Structural and Cohesion Funds which are part of the Agenda 2000 package were published on the 18 March. The Regulations must now be agreed by all fifteen Member States and approved where appropriate by the European Parliament.
Our overriding concern in the long negotiations ahead is to ensure that these draft Regulations are fair, affordable and durable, particularly to the UK and its regions. We do not expect the Regulations for the Structural and Cohesion Funds to be adopted until early 1999. It would therefore be premature to speculate on which areas might qualify or on the amount of any aid which they might receive once the new Regulations come into effect.