To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had, or plans to have, with the Office for National Statistics regarding any miscalculation of entitlement to Objective One funding for the Highlands and Islands.

Eurostat and not the Office for National Statistics (ONS) calculate entitlement to Objective One funding on the basis of the most up-to-date data available to them at the time. The ONS, as always, provided Eurostat with the most up to date and accurate statistics for the relevant period available at that time. No miscalculation was made.

The Scottish Executive has been working very closely with the ONS over the period since May 2002 when the original publication date for the revised estimates of regional gross value added was deferred, and will continue to be consulted by ONS on the development of future regional accounts estimates and revisions.