HC Deb 14 June 1978 vol 951 cc975-8
1. Mr. Silvester

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what advantages he intends for those city dwellers living in the 14 partnership areas which will be unavailable to those living in the 15 programme districts or the recently announced 14 designated districts and London boroughs.

20. Mr. Steen

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what advantages he intends for those city dwellers living in the 14 partnership areas which will be unavailable to those living in the 15 programme districts or the recently announced 14 designated districts and London boroughs.

The Secretary of State for the Environment (Mr. Peter Shore)

All the authorities—partnership, programme, and designated districts—will benefit from Clauses 2, 3, 4, 5 and 11 of the Inner Urban Areas Bill. The 15 programme authorities will between them receive £25 million a year for three years from the urban programme. The seven partnership areas —where the problems of urban dereliction are greater in scale and intensity—will receive additional powers under Clauses 8, 9 and 10 of the Bill, industrial development certificate preference over other areas in the same region for those outside assisted areas, and an annual allocation of £66 million per annum for three years from the urban programme, related to a programme agreed between central and local governent through the partnership committee. Central Government's main programmes are also being adjusted to reflect the new priority being given to tackling inner city problems particularly for partnership and programme authorities.

Mr. Silvester

Does the Minister not agree that the growing complexity of the various powers, the extension of towns and the fact that there is, in many of these areas, a proliferation of committee and bureaucratic work are making many people doubt whether this scheme will ever produce anything on the ground? Will he say something about progress?

Mr. Shore

There is far less complexity in the minds of the district and county councils which are the recipients of the powers than in the minds of some hon. Members. We have announced a number of decisions and people have tended to become a little confused about them. I note in particular the reference in the Question to "14 partnership areas" when, of course, there are in fact only seven. I do not see any reason why we should not clear these matters up in the House, and I do not accept that there has been any proliferation of bureaucracy in the partnership arrangements.

Mr. Steen

As Government policy is to bring back business to the inner city areas and to build factories on some of the vacant areas and derelict sites that abound in those areas, can the Minister explain how the Government can announce the granting of finance for building a new Lucas factory on the edge of Liverpool, on a green field site in Huyton, which is in total contradiction to the partnership aims and objectives, and flies in the face of the provisions of the Inner Urban Areas Bill?

Mr. Shore

I do not necessarily accept that this is in total contradiction. The hon. Member is entirely correct in saying that we are trying to give an impetus to development in inner city partnership areas, particularly development areas, such as Merseyside, or special development areas. But it would be wrong—although we must look at particular cases —to say that new developments of factories should not take place in other parts of the development area itself.

Mr. Christopher Price

Is my right hon. Friend aware that much as the London borough of Lewisham welcomes the Inner Urban Areas Bill it believes that the proof of the pudding will be in the eating? Is the Minister willing to ensure that his Department will be very flexible and particularly speedy in the operation of this Bill, so that, if a situation arises in which it is necessary at very short notice to save employment, his officials will be able to move at the necessary speed so that employment can be saved before it is too late?

Mr. Shore

I accept what my hon. Friend said. We had the first partnership meeting in any part of the country only as recently as last October. In that period the authorities have themselves allocated the money that we have allocated to particular projects, running into many tens of millions of pounds, which is actually being spent now. There has been no loss of urgency or speed on our part. The Bill to which my hon. Friend has referred is in another place. As soon as it receives Royal Assent we shall use its powers and make the designations with all possible speed.

Mr. Alison

Does the right hon. Gentleman remember telling the House on 9th February that the 15 programme areas —the second XI—were to get £25 million starting in 1979 over a period of three years? Will the £25 million now have to be shared by the third XI, the 14 extra designated areas, which he has introduced? What does he intend to do about the fact that the whole of the enhanced urban programme—the £66 million plus the £25 million—will be more than accounted for by the extra money that will have to be found by local authorities as a result of the 2½ per cent. surcharge on national insurance?

Mr. Shore

I think the last point made by the hon. Gentleman was a little tortured, because the increase in local authority costs will be treated as eligible expenditure. We shall make decisions on that matter at the time of the increase order in the ordinary course of events later in the summer. The designated areas under the Inner Urban Areas Bill will be eligible for that part of the urban area programme that is still uncommitted. The House should bear in mind that the whole programme has been increased from the figure of £30 million which we inherited from the Conservatives to £125 million per annum as from next April.

Mr. Joseph Dean

How are my right hon. Friend's negotiations with Leeds progressing? Is he aware that misgivings are being expressed by voluntary associations in the area that their submissions have been completely ignored? Whether or not he approves the schemes, will he give an undertaking to examine them closely and ensure that there is no overindulgence by the present political leaders of the city towards the areas which they represent?

Mr. Shore

We are in touch with all the programme authorities. There is not the same ministerial input into those programmes as there is in the seven partnership areas. Nevertheless, I shall consider my hon. Friend's comments. I am sure that his remarks will be brought to the attention of the leaders of the Leeds City Council. All programme authorities need to extend their contacts with the voluntary bodies in their areas if they are to have effective inner city programmes.