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Dept of Trade and Industry

Answer

Mr. Burns: To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the future of the KONVER programme; and what alternative funding the Government will make available to help those made redundant from defence related industries when the KONVER programme ends. [27539] Mrs. Roche: [holding answer 5 February 1998]: The current framework for Structural Fund Community Initiatives is due to expire at the end 1999. In its communication, "Agenda 2000" published on 16 July 1997, the European Commission outlined its approach to a new regulatory framework for the Structural Funds for the period 2000-2006. The Commission has proposed that a new Objective 2 should replace current Community Initiatives that address industrial restructuring, such as KONVER, and it expected to publish the new draft Structural Funds regulations in March or April. In negotiating these regulations, the UK will press for an Objective 2 which allows Member States to target funds effectively at areas of need--such as those which have been subject to industrial restructuring. The Government are currently undertaking regional consultations with interested parties to hear their views on the implications in the UK of Structural Fund reform.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

27539; 306 c815W;306 c813W

Session

1997-98

Subjects

Defence Industry EU grants and loans Redundancy European Commission KONVER programme Agenda 2000