Oral Answers to Questions

Andrea Leadsom Excerpts

Wednesday 28th November 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Jones]

That matter is under active consideration between the Welsh Government, the Wales Office and the Treasury. The hon. Gentleman will have seen the announcement that was made at the end of October and will have been able to draw his own conclusions.

[Andrea Leadsom (South Northamptonshire) (Con)]

4. What recent assessment he has made of repatriating from the EU regional policy as it relates to Wales.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Stephen Crabb)]

In July my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary announced to the House the launch of the Government’s review into the balance of competences of the European Union. The review will look at the scope of the EU’s competences as they affect the UK and what this means for our national interest. The review will be completed in 2014.

[Andrea Leadsom]

As the Government’s position, set out in the fifth cohesion report in January 2011, is that wealthier states should not receive structural and cohesion funds, what assessment has my hon. Friend made of the impact on the Welsh regions of repatriating regional policy to the UK?