22. Mr. Alan W. WilliamsTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the impact of the agreements reached at the Council of Ministers' meeting on the Welsh economy. [78080]
§ Mr. MichaelThe Council of Ministers' meeting in Berlin reached agreement on the Agenda 2000 package of reform to the EU. This package includes the next wave of enlargement of the Union, reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the next round of Structural Funds programmes. The economy of west Wales and the Valleys will receive a major boost from the award of Objective 1 status which will bring around £1.2 billion in aid for economic and social development over seven years. Reforms to the CAP will help the agriculture sector in Wales increase competitiveness, enhance food safety and food quality and ensure a fair standard of living and stable farm incomes.