UK regional policy and European Union structural funds

Q24 Mr Hollobone: This is a really important issue. Why are you asking the Government only to consider the future of the issue? On Iran, John Baron is saying to rule out the use of force against Iran.

Chair: I do not think they are advocating the use of force in any budget consultations. Ian, did you want to come in?

Mr. Ian Mearns (Gateshead): I can understand somebody could put in a motion saying we should not contribute to the European structural funds, unless it went to the Czech Republic, for instance-based on our allies at the European Commission at the weekend. I agree with Philip though; I think we could get more meat and mileage out of this if it were beefed up substantially.

Q25 Chair: As we said, we have such limited time available that unless this is pressing, because a meeting is coming up specifically that the debate needs to be scheduled around, it is something for the future. We only have that half-day on 7 February and, provisionally, 20 February. Today we will be scheduling that half-day on 7 February, so we will let you know this afternoon whether that has gone in, but this is certainly something we can work on over the coming weeks.

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Mental health policy

Q41 Mr. Ian Mearns (Gateshead): It is a shame that you did not come in the autumn to coincide with world mental health day, for example, because I think that topicality is one of the places that it does fall down, but I am certainly very keen that mental health is given a much greater airing in this place. It certainly does not get that. I have an enormous amount of sympathy with your application, because of my personal input in my own locality.

Mr Walker: I thank the Committee for its time. I feel enormously encouraged, and we shall redouble our efforts and return at some stage in the future. A bit of guidance would be nice as to what you would like us to do.

Chair: We will do that. Thank you very much for sitting through 45 minutes. We are very grateful to you.

Mr Walker: I can bring seven people next time. Thank you.

This is an uncorrected transcript of evidence taken in public and reported to the House. The transcript has been placed on the internet on the authority of the Committee. Neither witnesses nor Members have had the opportunity to correct the record. The transcript is not yet an approved formal record of these proceedings.

The full transcript may be read here.

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