HC Deb 31 March 1999 vol 328 cc794-5W
Mr. Wallace

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many claims for payment by objective 1 projects have been delayed for more than(a) three months, (b) six months and (c) one year since the inception of the Highlands and Islands partnership programme. [78252]

Mr. Dewar

[holding answer 24 March 1999]: This information is not available in the form requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Since the beginning of the Highlands and Islands Objective 1 programme in 1994, more than 80,000 separate payment claims have been processed. The processing of individual claims may have been delayed for various reasons, including the need to clarify with the project sponsor the information provided in the claim. Until recently, payments could only be made when the relevant funds had been transferred from the EU Commission. New arrangements have now been introduced to ensure that payments are no longer delayed for this reason.

With effect from 1 July 1999, the administration of the European Structural Funds in Scotland will be the responsibility of the Scottish Administration.

Mr. Wallace

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many Objective 1 project claims for payment, and to what value, are currently awaiting settlement; and how many of these have been waiting in excess of(a) six months and (b) 12 months. [78251]

Mr. Dewar

[holding answer 24 March 1999]: 3001 payment claims with a value of £20,082,092 are currently awaiting payment. 106 of these, with a value of £1,817,145, have been outstanding for more than six months, while 69 payment claims, with a value of £470,847, have been outstanding for more than 12 months, mostly due to the need to seek additional information on the claims.

With effect from 1 July 1999, the administration of the European Structural Funds in Scotland will be the responsibility of the Scottish Administration.

Mr. Wallace

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on which dates the 1996 annual progress report in respect of the Highlands and Islands partnership programme was(a) submitted and (b) re-submitted to the European Commission; for what reasons the report was required to be re-submitted; and if he will make a statement. [78253]

Mr. Dewar

[holding answer 24 March 1999]: The Highlands and Islands 1996 Annual Report was first submitted to the European Commission on 21 September 1998. Following the Commission's request for amendments, it was re-submitted on 17 November.

The format of the 1996 Annual Report was originally based on the format of the 1995 Annual Report which was agreed by the European Commission on 3 July 1998. When the Commission initially received the 1996 Annual Report, it requested certain further changes to the format, which was why it had to be re-submitted.

With effect from 1 July 1999, the administration of the European Structural Funds in Scotland will be the responsibility of the Scottish Administration.