§ 28. Mr. MooreTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues on the next programme for European Union structural funds. [76333]
§ Mr. MacdonaldMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has been closely involved with ministerial colleagues developing and agreeing the UK negotiating priorities on Structural Funds reform. In addition, the Secretary of State has met with the German Minister responsible for Structural Funds reform in January. I have met with the appropriate Swedish Minister twice and the Finnish Minister once in recent months. The Secretary of State discussed Structural Funds reform with Commissioner Wulf-Mathies early last year and I have followed that up with a further meeting in January.