HL Deb 19 February 2001 vol 622 cc76-7WA
Lord Swinfen

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Which countries have benefited from the European Cohesion Fund; how much they received in each year; and whether they are still in receipt of these funds. [HL725]

The Minister for Science, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Sainsbury of Turville)

During the last programming period 1993–99, four member states benefited from the European Cohesion Fund: Greece, Ireland, Portugal and Spain. These countries continue to receive Cohesion Funding during the current programming period 2000–06. However, in 2003 their eligibility will be reviewed in the light of updated GNP levels.

Payments received by member states 1993–99.

In March 1999 the Berlin European Council decided to allocate the Cohesion Fund a budget of€18 billion for the period 2000–06, with the following indicative allocation (in€ millions at 1999 prices):

Year Amount
2000 2,615
2001 2,615
2002 2,615
2003 2,615
2004 2,515
2005 2,515
2006 2,510

Resources are to be distributed among the four recipient countries in accordance with the following bands:

  • Spain: 61–63.5%
  • Greece: 16–18%
  • Portugal: 16–18%
  • Ireland: 2–6%