Oral Answers to Questions — Scotland – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 13 July 1983.
Mr David Knox
, Staffordshire Moorlands
12:00,
13 July 1983
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total value of grants made towards projects in Scotland by the European regional development fund since its inception in 1975.
Mr Allan Stewart
, East Renfrewshire
Total commitments towards projects in Scotland since the fund was established come to £270 million.
Mr David Knox
, Staffordshire Moorlands
Does my hon. Friend agree that these grants have brought considerable advantage to Scotland and provide yet another example of the benefits that Scotland gains from membership of the European Community?
Mr Allan Stewart
, East Renfrewshire
I agree. Since 1975 about 1,000 projects have been helped by the European regional development fund, assistance that has been recognised as valuable throughout Scotland, except by Labour Members of Parliament.
Mr Hector Monro
, Dumfries
Is my hon. Friend aware that many of these regional development grants are not available for non-assisted areas? Therefore, will he have discussions with the Community to see whether this policy can be changed to concentrate more on unemployment than on assisted area status?
Mr Allan Stewart
, East Renfrewshire
I note what my hon. Friend has said, but the ERDF is applied only to assisted areas so that help is concentrated where it is most needed.
Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
