§ Mr. WeirTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what discussions she has had with the European Union with regard to assisted area status in Scotland; [5073]
(2)what proposals she has for the review of assisted area status in (a) Scotland and (b) Angus; [5071]
(3)what criteria will be used to determine which areas of Scotland will be put forward to the European Union for assisted area status; [5070]
326W(4) when she will next review the provision of assisted area status in Scotland; [5074]
(5) what representations she has had from (a) the Scottish Executive and (b) other organisations in Scotland in relation to assisted area status within Scotland. [5072]
§ Alan JohnsonThe European Commission approved the UK areas eligible for regional state aid in July 2000; these were then implemented through the Assisted Areas Order 2000. The European Commission approval lasts until the end of 2006; the Government are not planning to review the assisted areas until it is necessary to develop proposals for the subsequent period. At that stage they will consult interested bodies on the selection of areas, including the Scottish Executive and others in Scotland.