HC Deb 27 November 2001 vol 375 cc868-70W
Mr. Bercow

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what Community money was(a) available and (b) distributed to both sides in the Irish referendum on Nice. [17620]

Ruth Kelly

This is a matter for the Irish Government and the European Commission.

Mr. Bercow

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the Declaration of the Heads of State and Government Review of the Economic Situation (SN 4298/2/01, 19 October 2001), with reference to spending projects by the EIB to be encouraged by the European Council. [17621]

Ruth Kelly

The Government support the European Council's encouragement of the European Investment Bank (EIB) for its lending to infrastructure projects, to support the knowledge-based economy and to help foster long-term investment. The Government are working to ensure that the EIB builds on its historic strengths in these areas and provides the maximum value added to the market, levering in private finance where there would otherwise be gaps and furthering the Lisbon economic reform agenda.