§ Ann WintertonTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the criteria were for obtaining European Regional Funding for the 2000 to 2006 period; and what the criteria are for the 2007 to 2013 period. [151891]
§ Mr. RaynsfordThe criteria for obtaining European Regional Funding for 2000–06 were
Objective 1—Areas corresponding with the EC's NUTS II level, with per capita GDP less than 75 per cent. of the EU averageObjective 2—Regions with structural problems requiring socio-economic conversion, including, in particular, the industrial and service sectors, declining rural areas, urban areas in difficulty and depressed areas dependent on fisheries.