HC Deb 19 November 1998 vol 319 cc807-8W
Mr. Livsey

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which projects that received conditional approval under the 7th round of the EAGGF Objective 5b programme before 30 June are still awaiting confirmation of rural development grant matching funding; and if he will make a statement. [60822]

Mr. Jon Owen Jones

Twenty-one bids for Rural Development Grant (RDG) matching funding have been received under Round 7. The details remain commercial in confidence between the Department and the applicants.

RDG is a grant of last resort designed to pump prime projects where there is a shortfall of alternative public support funding. The grant awards will be decided at the conclusion of the Department's Internal Review Process.

Mr. Livsey

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to make an announcement on the allocation of rural development grants for the 8th round of the EAGGF project applications. [60823]

Mr. Jon Owen Jones

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will make a decision on the allocations at the conclusion of the Department's Internal Review process.

Mr. Livsey

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects(a) the 7th round rural development grants to be paid and (b) the Welsh Office Internal Review to be completed. [60824]

Mr. Jon Owen Jones

Payment of Rural Development Grant will depend on the phasing of expenditure on the individual projects.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State intends to make an announcement about allocations for future spending plans in the near future.