§ 32. Mr. Marquandasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he expects to reach a decision on the applications for loan sanction which have been made to him according to the procedure laid down in his Department's Circular 50/66.
§ Mr. WilleyMy right hon. Friend hopes to decide on an initial programme of schemes soon. He cannot at this stage indicate the total size of the programme or its regional distribution.
§ Mr. MarquandCan my hon. Friend give some idea of the criterion that will be employed to decide between the decisions which are made by different local authorities, and, in particular, will he give an assurance that the social needs of old industrial towns like Sutton-in-Ashfield in my constituency will be given 1320 full weight when the decisions are finally reached?
§ Mr. WilleyI assure my hon. Friend that the criteria he has mentioned will certainly be given due weight.