§ Mr. KeetchTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the use of EU structural funds for the recreational uses of inland waterways as part of rural employment policy. [46957]
§ Mrs. Roche[holding answer 22 June 1998]The uses to which the Structural Funds can be put are determined by programme documents agreed between the Government and the Commission. They concentrate on activities which will increase employability and competitiveness in the regions concerned.
In rural areas eligible under the Funds these programme documents will include tourism as one of their priorities. Projects which increase tourism potential, including those for recreational uses of inland waterways, will be eligible. In all cases, projects will be selected on the basis of criteria which will seek to maximise value for money.