HC Deb 27 July 1999 vol 336 cc303-4W
Mr. Gill

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what population figure is being used for the purpose of assessing post-1999 European funding for the West Midlands; and how the basis for this figure differs from that submitted by the Development Agency. [92545]

Mr. Wills

The UK's overall population coverage under Objective 2 is defined by the safety net at 13.7 million. This figure is for the whole UK, there are no pre-determined population figures for the regions. No decisions have been made yet on which areas will be eligible for Objective 2 funding for 2000 to 2006.

The basis for assessing the West Midlands will be the relevant population figures required to conform with Article 4 of the European Structural Funds Regulations.

All areas will be considered for inclusion on the basis of need against the criteria under Article 4 of the Structural Funds Regulations published on 26 June 1999.

Mr. Gill

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what formula is used to calculate the relevant population figures for post-1999 European structural funding; [92544]

(2) what basis is used for establishing population figures relevant to post-1999 European structural funding. [92546]

Mr. Wills

The populations ceilings for Objective 1 and 2 are governed by Article 3 and 4 in the European Structural Funds Regulations. It is the responsibility of the European Commission to calculate the population ceilings at member state level.

Mr. Gill

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list(a) the actual population and (b) the notional population figures used for the purpose of allocating European structural funds for each region in England. [92543]

Mr. Wills

The UK's overall population coverage under Objective 2 is defined by the safety net which limits the reduction in coverage to one third of existing Objective 2 and 5b population. This amounts to 13.7 million total population based on figures provided by the European Commission.

This population total is for the whole UK. There is no pre-set population figure for regions.