To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish the full text of the letter to it from the European Union (EU) regarding EU structural funds for the Highlands and Islands that the Deputy Minister for Finance and Public Services referred to in The Herald on 3 December 2002.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures were provisional, and have since been withdrawn by ONS. The letter from the Commission confirmed my view that retrospective consideration of eligibility is not possible, and followed a telephone call I received from Commissioner Barnier’s Deputy Head of Cabinet. Both the call and the e-mail attaching the letter expressed regret and apologised for the earlier misunderstandings caused by the Commission.

I have arranged for a copy of the Commission’s letter to be sent to you. Copies have been placed in the Parliament’s Reference Centre (Bib. number 25841).