HL Deb 26 June 2000 vol 614 cc56-7WA
Lord Smith of Leigh

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they intend to make any representations to the European Commission about the delays in approval of the United Kingdom's Single Programme Documents for Objective 2 areas, which are now only likely to be approved in December 2000 at the earliest; and whether they will consider the implications for achieving spending profiles in those areas which are designated "transitional". [HL2892]

Lord Sainsbury of Turville

The Government do not intend to make any formal representations to the Commission at this stage. The Government believe it will be possible to agree the SPDs by December 2000. Officials meet their Commission counterparts regularly with a view to reaching agreement on the Single Programming Documents as soon as possible.

The Structural Funds Regulations contain provisions to ensure that commitments for both full Objective 2 and transitional areas are not lost because of any delay. All the programmes which were submitted by the end of April 2000 will be able to backdate funding of projects to the beginning of the year.