§ Mr. EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the First Secretary of the National Assembly for Wales concerning how funding approved under Objective 1 criteria is to be spent. [98193]
§ Mr. Paul MurphyThe content of the plan setting out the strategic priorities for use of Objective 1 funding in West Wales and the Valleys is a matter for the National Assembly for Wales and the Welsh Structural Funds partnership. The exact nature of schemes to be approved for funding will depend on projects which come forward from sponsors within the priorities set out in the plan once approved by the European Commission. However, I take a keen interest in seeking to ensure that a wide range of good quality projects come forward from a range of partners and have discussed this with the First Secretary of the National Assembly for Wales and other interested parties.
§ Mr. EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the First Secretary of the National Assembly for Wales regarding obtaining matched funding for Objective 1 funding; and what assessment he has made of the sources this funding will come from. [98194]
§ Mr. Paul MurphyThe First Secretary and I meet frequently and discuss a range of issues, including Objective 1. There are many potential sources of match funding, both private and public sector, but it is a matter for regional partners and project sponsors to identify match funding for projects.