asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what financial assistance, if any, is available from EEC sources to subsidise the provision of mains water to farm dwellings in remote underprivileged hill areas.

There is provision under the regulations establishing the Regional Development Fund for a contribution to public authorities undertaking infrastructure works in those parts of the United Kingdom which fall within both assisted areas—including Northern Ireland—and the Community's less favoured farming areas. However, I am unable at this stage to predict the precise effects of the provision on any particular type of undertaking.