§ Mr. DavidTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what discussions she has had with the European Commission about the Structural Funds after 2006; [47973]
(2) what her philosophy is on the underlying principles which will determine EU regional policy after 2006. [47974]
§ Alan JohnsonAlthough the debate on the future of European cohesion policy post 2006 has started, very few national governments have so far committed themselves to a particular position.
The next reform of the Structural Funds must ensure that they contribute better to the Lisbon agenda of improving Europe's competitiveness and modernising its economies. I believe that improvements are needed in both the effectiveness of the funds and the means to evaluate their impact and added value. Also, greater efforts must be made to simplify the funds and remove unnecessary bureaucracy, while maintaining proper financial control.
While my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has not attended any formal discussions with the European Commission on this issue, officials in the Department of Trade and Industry have participated in a number of relevant meetings and events including the Cohesion Forum organised by the 375W Commission in Brussels in May 2001. In addition, I attended the Namur Informal Council on Regional Policy in July of last year. In May of this year officials in the Department will participate in the Commission's seminars on the 10 priorities highlighted in the "Second Cohesion Report" in May.