HC Deb 11 February 1999 vol 325 cc411-2W
Mr. Stevenson

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action the Government are proposing to help those bodies which are having to wait for payment of European Union structural funds grants due to delays in receiving some of the funds from Europe. [71251]

Mr. Wills

The reform that I can announce is good news, particularly for charities, small businesses, local authorities and other bodies implementing projects vital to local communities. They have previously had to wait months or even longer to receive the final instalment of funding, even though their projects have been completed.

From now on the Government will pay all Structural Funds claims that have been properly prepared once they have undergone appropriate checks and processing, even where the Funds have not yet been received from the European Commission.

The Government have been well aware of the difficulties these delays are causing and their impact on local partners implementing Structural Funds projects. That is why we are taking action to protect them.