HC Deb 30 March 1999 vol 328 cc576-7W
Dr. Ladyman

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about the eligibility of areas under Objective 2. [79667]

Mr. Llew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to make an announcement on the distribution of EU structural funds for the regeneration of deprived areas. [78990]

Mr. Wills

The discussions between Member States and the Commission on the reform of the Structural and Cohesion Funds were concluded at the Berlin Council on 25 March.

I am pleased to say that the UK has negotiated an outcome that is fair and affordable to all future and existing Member States, including the UK. One notable success for the UK was the securing of the safety net which maintains two thirds of the existing Objective 2 and 5b population coverage.

The Government will consult widely with all those with an interest, principally local and regional bodies, on the determination of proposed areas and the criteria to be used to ensure that we target the areas of greatest need. Careful consideration will be given to the relative needs of different areas across the UK. I am issuing today a public consultation document which will set out the basis on which interested parties will be invited to make their submissions. I am also placing copies of the document in the Library of the House and the Vote Office.

Those wishing to make representations should do so to the appropriate Government Office in England, the Scottish Office, the Welsh Office and the Department of Finance and Personnel in Northern Ireland. Other Departments with an interest include the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Foods for fisheries and rural areas and the Department of Culture, Media and Sport for tourist-dependent areas, the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions and the Department for Education and Employment.

In order to meet the likely deadline of mid-June for submission of the proposed Objective 2 areas to the European Commission by each Member State, the public consultation will end on 25 May 1999.