HC Deb 18 December 1969 vol 793 cc1523-5
3. Sir G. Sinclair

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress he has made in putting to use funds available under the urban aid programme; and what part the Community Relations Commission have played in helping him to plan this programme.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

Local authority expenditure of £8 million has so far been approved. The main purpose is to improve living conditions in areas of special social need; it is not a programme just for immigrants. The Community Relations Commission has arranged a series of regional conferences to discuss the relationship of the programme to its own work and that of local community relations councils.

Sir G. Sinclair

Since the Community Relations Commission has been in operation for a year, would the hon. Gentleman say what allocations of these urban funds have been made on its recommendation, since it has special considerations to bring forward in areas of special need?

Mr. Rees

It must be borne in mind that representations for money from the urban programme come from the local authorities. They are not determined centrally. The most important way of bringing people involved in community relations into this matter is for the local community relations organisations, knowing their local areas, to play a part in lobbying their local councils who put in for schemes.

11. Sir G. Sinclair

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the recent rearrangement by which the Community Relations Commission now has a full-time executive chairman, he will provide the Commission with additional funds to help develop the work of local community relations councils.

Mr. Callaghan

It is for the Commission to consider what grants are required to support the work of local councils and funds are provided within its budget each year after consultation between the Commission and the Government. The Commission has let me know its estimated requirements for 1970–71 and I have these under consideration.

Sir G. Sinclair

I am sure that the right hon. Gentleman realises the importance of developing the work which has been started. Will he be able to meet the full requirements of the Chairman of the Commission, with whom I spent part of the morning?

Mr. Callaghan

I am glad to hear that the hon. Gentleman spent part of the morning with the Chairman of the Commission. That is what I asked him to do not so long ago. As regards its estimate, that is a matter for internal Government discussion, and I cannot give a final answer to that. However, total expenditure has risen. In 1967, it was only £77,000. This year, it will be £300,000, and there is a demand for a further increase next year. This is on a rising curve.