§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what has been the impact on the National Assembly for Wales during the financial year 2000–01 arising from the designation of West Wales and the Valleys as an Objective 1 area. [107225]
§ Mr. Paul MurphyIt is too early to know the impact of Objective 1 on the National Assembly for Wales for the forthcoming financial years 2000–01. The figures set out by the National Assembly for Wales and the Welsh Partnership on the Objective 1 financial tables relate to expected commitments of funding over the full life of projects. The actual rate of expenditure will depend on the spending profiles of projects submitted and approved, which are not yet known.
§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the European Commission over the eligibility of private or voluntary sector finance to contribute to the member state's match-funding for European Objective 1 projects; and if he will make a statement. [107228]
§ Mr. Paul MurphyI have had no such discussions. The European Structural Funds Regulations, which apply to all EU member states, set no requirements for sources of match funding, which is the responsibility of the grant applicant. It is the eligibility of the activities of each specific project which needs to be assessed against the priorities in the Objective 1 programming document. Match funding from the private and voluntary sectors has been used in previous Structural Funds programmes across the UK and there is no reason why this should not continue for the new Objective 1 programme.