§ Lord Roberts of Conwyasked Her Majesty's Government:
When they expect European Community approval for Objective 2 maps of the United Kingdom. [HL551]
§ The Minister for Science, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Sainsbury of Turville)The Government submitted their proposals for Objective 2 areas to the Commission in October. In December, the European Commission agreed in principle the UK's proposed areas for Objective 2 coverage. We expect the Commission to approve the map formally early in February, after the Committees on the Development and Conversion of the Regions; Structures for Fisheries and Aquaculture; and Agricultural Structures and Rural Development have been consulted.