Mr. Gareth ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the nature and scope of his responsibilities in relation to the review of European structural funds in respect of Wales, indicating the timetable for action by his Department. [42473]
§ Mr. HainWe are fully involved in the formulation of UK Government policy on structural fund reform, and our primary interests are to safeguard the position of Wales. Welsh Office officials form part of the UK delegation, co-ordinated by the DTI, negotiating the draft regulations with the Commission in Brussels. No deadline has been set for the conclusion of the negotiations, but the new funding period (2000–2006) commences on 1 January 2000.