Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Committee, 29 Sep 1999

Meeting date: Wednesday, September 29, 1999

Official Report 241KB pdf

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Regional Selective Assistance

The fourth item on the agenda is the timetable for the review of regional selective assistance, which has been raised at previous meetings. Paper EL/99/4/3 sets out the time scale for the review of RSA. This is a reserved matter, and the UK Government's final proposals are due to be submitted to Brussels in October.

I suspect that much of the input on the issue has been made and that there is very little that the committee can do to influence those deliberations, other than pursue further information.

The second last paragraph mentions tier 3 areas in England and Wales. I want to ask the Executive whether it envisages having similar areas in Scotland where small and medium business would receive assistance.

The matter has been looked at in some detail by the European Committee—Margo can confirm that. The Finance Minister was questioned about it. My recollection of that discussion leads me to believe that the questions that we have asked today would be answered in the affirmative. The European Committee will meet Jack McConnell again to discuss the matter, but there is no reason why we should not pursue the matter with the Executive.

It was a nudge-nudge, wink-wink sort of thing, but I think that Allan is right.

"Nudge-nudge, wink-wink"? Thank you, Margo. The European Committee is obviously the place to be.