§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on her Department's role in discussions relating to the European structural funds for the period 2000 to 2006. [48774]
§ Mrs. RocheThe Department of Trade & Industry is the lead Department on the reform of the European Structural and Cohesion Funds. Our responsibility is to co-ordinate UK policy on the reform for all Government Departments including Welsh, Scottish, and Northern Ireland Offices.
Discussions have started on the proposed regulations by Member States at working group level. Officials of the Department of Trade & Industry attend on behalf of the UK, supported by other interested departments.