HC Deb 30 March 1998 vol 309 cc400-1W
Mr. Gareth Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the nature and source of the statistical information used by his Department in preparing NUTS designations for Objective 1 European structural funding for Wales. [36875]

Mr. Hain

The Nomenclature of Units of Territorial Statistics (NUTS) was established by the statistical office of the European Commission (Eurostat) to provide a breakdown of territorial units for the production of regional statistics for the European Union. The criteria used in subdividing national territory into regions are set out in the Eurostat publicationRegions, Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics, a copy of which is in the Library.

A revision of the UK NUTS classification started at the end of 1995 to take account of the use of Government Office Regions for the presentation of statistical information and of the Local Government Review which resulted in the creation of unitary authorities. In June 1996 the Office for National Statistics issued a consultation document which included more information on the criteria and other aspects of the revision. A copy of this document

Draft Proposals for the Nomenclature of Territorial Units (NUTS)is in the Library. The UK NUTS classification is currently being discussed by ONS and Eurostat.

Mr. Gareth Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the role of his Department in the European Structural Funds Review. [36874]

Mr. Hain

The Welsh Office is closely involved in all aspects of the Structural Funds Review. We participate fully in all policy formulation and will be represented on the UK delegation which will negotiate and agree the Structural Funds Regulations.

Mr. Gareth Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the timetable for preparation and submission of Welsh Office proposals relating to the European Structural Funds Review. [36876]

Mr. Hain

The draft Structural Funds Regulations for the period 2000–06 were published by the European Commission on 18 March. These will now be the subject of detailed negotiations with all 15 Member States before they are finally agreed. It is impossible at this stage to give any indication as to when the process will be completed. The Commission have proposed that the new map, which will result from criteria established in the Regulations, should be effective from 1 January 2000.