To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate she has made of the cost to her Department of the decision by the European Commission to suspend European Regional Development Fund payments for England. (135780)

[holding answer 8 May 2007]: It is not possible to make an accurate estimate of any cost to the Department. Currently the EC has delayed reimbursing the Government for the claims it makes to cover the expenditure on particular ERDF projects. We are working with the Commission to ensure that any outstanding concerns will be addressed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when she expects payments suspended by the European Commission of European Regional Development Fund to England to be resumed; and if she will make a statement. (135782)

[holding answer 8 May 2007]: The Government received formal notification on 11 April 2007 that the EC was holding reimbursement of payments in respect of ERDF 2000-06 programmes in five (out of nine) regions and the URBAN programme in Peterborough. Evidence is currently being provided for the EC on those regions and programmes so that payments can resume.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much is currently suspended by the European Commission in payments from the European Regional Development Fund to England. (135783)

[holding answer 8 May 2007]: The Commission’s decision to hold back the reimbursement of claims for expenditure on projects funded from the ERDF 2000-06 programmes pending further onsite checks took effect on 4 April 2007. No claims have been made since then. The Department however had outstanding claims of £269 million from earlier claims at the time of the Commission’s decision which the Commission has not yet paid. The Department is working to ensure that they are reimbursed as quickly as possible.