HC Deb 03 December 1970 vol 807 cc1446-7
11. Mr. Wilkinson

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will announce the allocation of additional funds to local authorities in areas of high immigrant settlement.

Mr. Maudling

I shall shortly be issuing approvals for some £5 million worth of further schemes under the urban programme, which benefits areas of special social need, including many where there are immigrants. I also estimate that for the present financial year expenditure totalling some £6,300,000 will be approved for Exchequer grant under Section 11 in respect of the employment of special additional staff.

Mr. Wilkinson

Is my right hon. Friend aware how much this statement will be welcomed by citizens in areas of high immigrant settlement and in areas where the rateable value is particularly low? Is he aware that this is a compassionate measure which will receive a warm welcome?

Mr. Merlyn Rees

Does this announcement mean that extra, new figures of money are now available or is it precisely based on the allocation of funds made by the previous Administration?

Mr. Maudling

We have always made it clear that we were to continue with what I call the expanding programme.