§ Mr. ChopeTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much the UK has received in EU structural funds during the last five years; and what is his estimate for the next five years as a result of the Berlin summit. [79578]
803W
§ Mr. WillsThe UK has received total allocations of 11,990 meuro for the years 1995–99. At this time we cannot say what allocations will be for the next five years.
§ Mr. ChopeTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what ceiling for expenditure on structural funds in the period 2000 to 2006(a) in cash terms and (b) as a percentage of GDP was agreed at the Berlin summit. [79569]
§ Mr. WillsFollowing agreement at the Berlin Council, the overall allocations for the Structural and Cohesion Funds in the 15 Member States over the period 2000–06 will total 213 beuro. In 1999 prices this is likely to be about 0.35 per cent. of the EU-15 GDP for the seven years.
§ Mr. ChopeTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will estimate the percentage of EU GDP which will be spent on EU structural funds in each of the next five years as a result of the agreement at the Berlin summit. [79570]
§ Mr. WillsFollowing the agreement at the Berlin Council the allocations for the EU Structural and Cohesion Funds in the 15 member states is likely to be about the following percentages of the EU-15 GDP in each of the next five years;
Year Percentage of EU GDP 2000 0.40 2001 0.38 2002 0.37 2003 0.35 2004 0.34
§ Mr. ChopeTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) which areas in the United Kingdom which are currently in receipt of Objective 2 and Objective 5b structural funds will continue to receive funds throughout 2000 to 2006 as a result of the Berlin summit agreement; [79567]
(2) which areas in the United Kingdom which are currently in receipt of Objective 2 and Objective 5b structural funds will cease to be eligible as a result of the agreement at the Berlin summit; [79566]
(3) what proportion of the United Kingdom population currently resides in areas eligible for Objective 2 and Objective 5b structural funding; and what proportion will reside in such areas from 2000; [79565]
(4) what percentage of the population currently benefiting from EU structural funding under objectives 2 and 5b will continue to benefit as a result of the safety net agreed at the Berlin summit; [79563]
(5) what proportion of the population of the EU will be eligible for EU structural funds as a result of the Berlin summit; [79560]
(6) what arrangements for enabling the United Kingdom to have increased flexibility in designating eligible areas for assistance under the structural funds were concluded at the Berlin summit. [79564]
804W
§ Mr. WillsI refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for South Thanet (Dr. Ladyman) on 30 March 1999,Official Report, columns 576–77.