We do not presently know how individual regions or localities will be affected by this reform, and we will not know until the Commission puts forward detailed proposals and they have been negotiated in the Council of Ministers and approved by the European Parliament. In the negotiations on the future of the funds, the Government will aim to protect the interests of the United Kingdom as a whole. We are still developing our detailed approach at this early stage, and we will take account of points raised in Committee today and those raised by others. We now have until 11.30 am at the latest for questions to the Minister. Members are reminded that questions should be brief and should be asked one at a time.
All Members are likely to have ample opportunity to ask several questions.
That discrepancy was identified by the Select Committee itself. Gentleman will know that the Government interpreted the proposals in one way, while the Select Committee thought that countries that joined the first wave of EMU might still be eligible for the cohesion fund. We believe our interpretation to be correct, but we will seek clarification on that point. Friend has just said about the implications of Britain's net contributions, subject to changes in the structural and cohesion funds. Friend says it is difficult to say how Britain will be affected in any detailed way at this stage.