asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will give examples of how the EEC Social and Regional Development Fund allocations to the United Kingdom in the last three years have been of specific help to small firms.

The European Regional Development Fund contributes towards the costs of both industrial and infrastructure projects incurred in the assisted areas and Northern Ireland by Government and local and national authorities. The fund has, for example, helped to finance industrial estate projects as well as gas, electricity, road and port schemes which should be of general benefit to small firms.The Social Fund is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment.