Written question asked by Lord Wigley (Plaid Cymru) on Monday, 7 December 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 14 December 1998. It was answered by Lord Hain (Labour) on Monday, 14 December 1998 on behalf of the Welsh Office.

Welsh Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, when he expects the Community Support Framework, associated with Wales' bid for Objective I funding for the Western Wales and Valleys NUT2 area, to be completed; and what progress has been made in preparatory work for the Framework.

Answer: Mr. Wigley: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects the Community Support Framework, associated with Wales' bid for Objective I funding for the Western Wales and Valleys NUT2 area, to be completed; and what progress has been made in preparatory work for the Framework. [63151] Mr. Hain: The draft regulations for Structural Funds would, if agreed by the Council, require the completion of a CSF within 9 months of the adoption of the Regulations. Negotiation of the Regulations is expected to be completed by the end of March 1999. The Wales European Task Force is currently working on the identification of strategic priorities for the programme. I expect this preliminary stage of their work to be completed in January. The proposed strategic priorities will then be the subject of wider public consultation before Easter next year.

Secondary information