§ Mr. MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the effects of the decline of the euro against sterling on payments of regional and other aid from the EU. [70618]
§ Mr. WillsAllocations of funding by the Commission to Structural Funds programmes are made in Euro. Offers of grant from the programmes are made in sterling and budgets are managed to minimise the exchange rate risks to the Exchequer. The Government will meet all legitimate claims for Structural Funds grant payments.