HC Deb 24 January 1974 vol 867 cc1876-8
5. Mr. Molloy

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what amount of the extra funds announced for the urban aid programme will go to the London borough of Ealing.

The Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. David Lane)

My right hon. Friend is not at present in a position to enlarge on what he said on 6th December in the debate on immigration and race relations.—[Vol. 865, c. 1469–85.]

Mr. Molloy

The hon. Gentleman is aware, I know, of the massive problems afflicting the administration of the London borough of Ealing, particularly in race relations, homelessness and education. Is he prepared, from his own knowledge alone, to see what can be done almost immediately to aid Ealing in dealing with these problems, which are growing larger day by day, frustrating councillors of both political parties and causing grave anguish throughout the borough? Will he do all he can to see how much urban aid can be given to the borough, and as swiftly as possible?

Mr. Lane

Yes, I will. I have visited Ealing fairly recently. The hon. Gentleman will remember that in the last phase of the urban programme we were able to approve a housing aid centre, a play centre and a special assessment unit for children with learning and behaviour difficulties. I hope that we will be able to give further aid to Ealing on as generous a scale as we can.

Mr. Bidwell

Has the Minister cleared up the question of withdrawing the urban aid grant to the London borough of Ealing in connection with the bussing of school children? Will he bear in mind that there are deeply conflicting attitudes about the continuance of the policy? With the best will in the world, the change cannot happen overnight. New primary schools have to be built in the Southall part of the borough in order to cope with the problem there. Will he say that the Department has changed its attitude of not giving, the normal assistance? Will he look at this matter seriously?

Mr. Lane

We are looking at the matter with the Department of Education and Science, but I can say no more about it today.

15. Dr. John A. Cunningham

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the criteria used to decide which applications are granted under the urban aid programme.

Mr. Lane

The urban programme aims to give special help to local urban areas with acute social needs. Applications are selected for approval in the light of local authorities' own priorities and the Government's wish to encourage variety in the projects to be embarked upon and the inclusion of schemes sponsored by voluntary bodies.

Dr. Cunningham

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there is a great deal of confusion, not to say dismay, among members of local authorities and voluntary bodies about the way that cash is being allocated under the urban aid programme? A recent article in the Association of Municipal Corporations Review indicated that local authorities might well be advised not to include projects in their normal financial schemes but instead to make urban aid applications. Is not this a denial of the entire purpose of the urban aid scheme——

Mr. Speaker

Order. There must be a time limit.

Mr. Lane

I am constantly looking at the way the urban programme is working and I do not accept what the hon. Gentleman says. My experience, from talking to a number of local authorities, is that the programme is very much appreciated. There are always ways of improving its working as we increase expenditure on the programme year by year. I hope that we can draw closer together the central Government, local authorities and voluntary bodies.

Mr. Sydney Chapman

Will my hon. Friend consider making the programme more flexible so that in certain cases voluntary organisations can apply direct to the Home Office for grants?

Mr. Lane

I am continually discussing the working of the programme with voluntary bodies and local authorities. This is a difficult matter and I do not think it would be wise to have any change at the moment, but I shall keep my hon. Friend's suggestion in mind.

Mr. John Fraser

Can the hon. Gentleman confirm whether the presently publicised urban aid programme will be cut as a result of the Chancellor of the Exchequer's public expenditure programme?

Mr. Lane

I cannot guarantee that there will not be some effect on the programme, but I hope that any effect will mean that the rate of reduction of public expenditure on the programme will be very small.