HC Deb 25 January 1999 vol 324 c62W
Mr. Livsey

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what discussions he has had with the Treasury on EU Structural Fund match funding commitments in Wales; and what was the outcome of these discussions; [66472]

(2) how much money has been identified by his Department to meet EU Structural Fund match funding commitments for 1999 to 2002; [66473]

(3) how much money has been allocated in each Welsh Office department to meet EU Structural Fund match funding commitments in 1999 to 2002; [66474]

(4) if EU Structural Fund match funding in Wales will be met from within the Barnett Formula Settlement. [66475]

Mr. Michael

I refer the hon. Member to the discussion held at the Welsh Affairs Select Committee on Tuesday, 19 January. As I reported then, the European Commission is still considering the new Structural Fund arrangements. Once these have been confirmed, the Government will review forecasts of European receipts contained in its overall expenditure plans. The Government will then consider the distribution of these for wider programmes and the way in which to meet the relevant requirements. I shall ensure that the interests of Wales are taken into account at each stage.

Mr. Livsey

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list for each of the last 10 years the amounts of(a) money Wales received from the EU through Structural Funds and (b) match funding money which the Welsh Office made available for Structural Fund projects; and what percentage of the potential money available was drawn down in Wales from EU Structural Funds in each year. [67355]

Mr. Hain

I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible and place a copy of my reply in the Library of the House.