§ Mr. RedwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has for the extent of the coverage of the assisted areas map. [55959]
§ Mr. Mandelson[holding answer 22 October 1998]: Under new European Guidelines on regional aid published in March, the proportion of Great Britain's working population covered by the assisted areas (currently some 34%) must be reduced; the maximum reduction is 25%. The actual figure will depend on statistics to be produced by Eurostat and the Commission will inform us of the outcome by the end of the year.