§ Mr. Andrew GeorgeTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the eligibility of Objective 1 applicants for regional selective assistance. [132051]
§ Mr. CabornBusinesses in Objective 1 areas will be eligible to apply for regional selective assistance subject to their meeting the criteria of the scheme.
§ Mr. Andrew GeorgeTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the first applications for the UK's four Objective 1 regions will be(a) invited and (b) determined. [132055]
§ Mr. CabornIt is for the Objective 1 programme partnerships themselves to decide how and when to call for applications and when to take decisions. However, I expect them to start appraising applications very soon if they have not already done so.
§ Mr. Andrew GeorgeTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what arrangements he has put in place for applying for the EU Objective 1 funds. [132054]
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§ Mr. CabornThe arrangements for applying for EU structural funds are set out in Council Regulation (EC) No. 1260/1999 laying down general provisions on the Structural Funds (OJ L 161 of 26 June 1999) and in the eligible regions' Single Programming Documents and programme complements. Responsibility for structural funds partnerships rests with the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions for England, and with the devolved administrations for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. My Department is responsible for overall co-ordination of the structural funds in the United Kingdom.