§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what evaluation her Department has made of the impact of the European Court of Justice decision in respect of unauthorised spending by the Commission on measures in favour of older people. [45422]
§ Mr. Denham[holding answer 11 June 1998]No evaluation is required. The European Court of Justice decision (C106/96) given on 12 May was in respect of unlawful expenditure by the European Commission on projects to combat social exclusion. The Court agreed with the UK that whilst the payments had been illegal, the projects should be allowed to retain the money they had received.
365WMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health has responsibility for the UK challenge against Commission expenditure on measures in favour of older people (C239/96). A date for the oral hearing is awaited.