To ask the President of the Board of Trade which proposed territorial employment pacts the Government intend to nominate to the European Commission as pilot projects in the United Kingdom; and if she will make a statement. [12469]

The European Commission said in its interim progress report on the implementation of territorial pacts for employment that it expected 10 proposals from the United Kingdom to add to the 78 proposals from other parts of the European Union. The Government received 66 proposals from all parts of the UK and, following regional prioritisation, I have selected the proposals put forward by:

• Barnsley Metropolitan Borough;
• Birmingham City Council on behalf of Black Country Districts, Birmingham and Solihull;
• Borough of St. Helens;
• East Midlands 3-Cities (Nottingham, Derby and Leicester);
• London Borough of Haringey/North London Leadership (Tottenham Partnership);
• Northern Ireland Training and Employment Agency;
• North Wales Economic Forum;
• South Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council;
• West Cornwall Initiative; and
• Western Scotland Objective 2 partnership.

Although the Commission only invited the UK to nominate 10 pilot projects, the Government would also welcome similar pacts and local partnerships in other areas which could have a significant local impact and which could provide useful information and experience.