§ Mr. RedwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what change in the proportion of the working population covered by assisted areas status is now anticipated under the European guidelines on regional aid published in March 1998. [66151]
§ Mr. Byers[holding answer 18 January 1999]: The European Commission has stated that up to 28.7 per cent. of the UK's population may be covered by areas eligible for regional aid under Articles 92(3)a and 92(3)c of the EC Treaty.