§ Mr. ShawTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the Government will carry out a review of the assisted areas of Great Britain. [54880]
§ Mrs. RocheFollowing the publication of new European Commission rules on regional aid earlier this year all Member States of the EU are required to revise their Assisted Areas maps by 1 January 2000. The guidelines will mean a reduction in the areas eligible for regional industrial assistance.
The Government intend, therefore, to carry out a review of the Assisted Areas map.
We are committed to listening to local views and careful consideration will be given to all areas in the review. We will be assessing the relative needs of different areas across the whole of Great Britain in consultation with all those who have an interest.
I am launching today a three month period of public consultation on the criteria and geographical units which should be used in drawing up the new map. I have placed copies of the consultation document for the review in the Library of the House and the Vote Office and copies are also available from my Department, the Government Offices in England, and the Scottish and Welsh Offices.
564WLocal organisations and other bodies wishing to make representations should send these to the appropriate Government Office in England or to the Scottish and Welsh Offices before the end of October 1998.