HC Deb 10 April 1978 vol 947 cc955-6
7. Mr. Silvester

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what measures he is proposing to the seven partnership committees as his Department's contribution to the rejuvenation of the inner cities.

Mr. Cryer

My Department is participating fully in the partnerships' initial task of drawing up programmes for action which will include proposals designed to strengthen the economies of the inner cities. It is too early to say what agreed proposals will be put forward by the different partnerships. The partnership authorities will benefit from the measures announced in the White Paper on inner city policy and from the powers which will be available to them under the Inner Urban Areas Bill.

Mr. Silvester

Is there not a danger of conflict with regard to the increasing number of powers overlaying different geographical areas? Will the Minister consider particularly the conflict between the inner cities and the special development areas?

Mr. Cryer

There is no conflict here. In fact, as the hon. Gentleman knows, the regional assistance is in addition to inner city assistance. But these matters will no doubt be debated on the Inner Urban Areas Bill, when the position can be clarified further.

Mr. Litterick

Will my hon. Friend consider seriously amending the Co-operative Development Agency Bill which is now before the House so that his Department can dispose of funds which could be used directly by his Department for use by workers' co-operatives in the inner city areas?

Mr. Cryer

That is a matter of detail for consideration in Committee. No doubt we shall be considering many such amendments because I know that my hon. Friends are very much concerned and welcome the implementation of Labour's promise to establish a Co-operative Development Agency.

Mr. Michael Latham

Will anything actually come out of these committees, or, like their predecessors, will they just be talking shops?

Mr. Cryer

I take it that the hon. Gentleman is talking about the partnership committees. The local authority members of the partnership committees, in addition to the Government members, are convinced that the partnership committees are drawing up useful and worthwhile programmes. Of course, the test of the committees will be seen in action. In my experience, all the members of the committees are determined to ensure that the action results in regeneration of the inner cities.

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