HC Deb 12 April 1972 vol 834 cc1232-3
3. Mr. Dalyell

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much money has now been allocated to local authorities under the Urban Renewal Scheme.

Mr. Younger

Twenty-three applications—some comprising a number of minor schemes—have been received from local authorities for grant under the special £1 million environmental recovery scheme. The total grant represented by these applications is £446,000. Two have been approved, one is being approved today and others are about to be approved.

Mr. Dalyell

Are more than 23 expected?

Mr. Younger

Yes. We expect that a good number of local authorities have still not had time since 7th February to prepare schemes. But we are encouraged by the initial response.

Mr. Grimond

Can the Under-Secretary say whether this takes account of the announcement by the Secretary of State for the Environment during the Budget debate? I take it that it does not. Will Scotland be affected by the announcement that further funds will be available for urban renewal and related purposes?

Mr. Younger

The scheme is only a small part of the total amount of Government help for improving the environment and does not include west-central Scotland and the Glasgow area, which have their own scheme. But it will be up to us to consider, if and when the £1 million is exhausted, whether it is necessary to provide more money. In the meantime, to get this amount of money between 7th February and now is a good achievement.

Mr. Brewis

Can my hon. Friend tell me how Operation Facelift is getting on in Glasgow?

Mr. Younger

That is another question. I understand, however, that it is going well, and my hon. Friend may have noticed that a certain amount of publicity material is going out on this which has been very helpful.