HC Deb 26 October 1988 vol 139 cc285-6
9. Mr. Charles Wardle

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what has been the response to his "Action for Cities" breakfast presentations.

Mr. Newton

Of the 1,200 senior business men who attended the six presentations held between mid-April and the end of June, about a quarter made specific offers of help. Those offers included managed workshop space, industry-education links, secondments and free advice to inner city businesses, and are all being followed up.

In view of the success of these presentations, I have decided to hold an additional one, for the east midlands, on Tuesday 6 December.

Mr. Wardle

I am grateful for that reply. Is it not encouraging that the private sector's response to "Action for Cities" has been so positive? Does my right hon. Friend agree that the CBI's recent publication "Initiatives beyond Charity" and the work of business in the community are particularly helpful in that regard?

Mr. Newton

I agree with my hon. Friend. I want to add a few words about the work of Phoenix and, not least, the work of chambers of commerce up and down the country. All those signs of private sector involvement and a recognition of the economic advantages, as well as other factors, to the private sector are very welcome.

Mr. Madden

Does the Chancellor agree that for the Government to spend thousands of pounds of taxpayers' money on giving free breakfasts to business people while Bradford Tory council is increasing the cost of school dinners to 80p a day tells us all that we need to know about Conservative party values and priorities? If he wishes to dodge answering that question, will he tell the House how the Bradford Tories' plans to sack 9,000 men and women will revitalise Bradford's inner city areas?

Mr. Speaker

Order. That has very little to do with breakfast, I would say.

Mr. Newton

I would not wish to dissent from your judgment, Mr. Speaker, that the question had very little to do with Bradford. Having visited Bradford and seen the major redevelopment now under way by Gratton of what was formerly a collection of derelict 19th century sites—and which is one of the most impressive pieces of housing renovation that I have seen—I have no doubt that the Government's programmes are having their effect.

Mr. Dykes

Does my right hon. Friend agree that to get business enmeshed in the initiatives has been a most useful exercise? However, will he carry out an important task? Will he liaise closely with the Department of Education and Science and his ministerial colleagues there to ensure that the third city technology college gets off the ground in the near future? It is promoted mainly by a large national retailing group in the Bradford area and it will do a lot of good for general urban regeneration in the area as well as for initiatives taken by my right hon. Friend's Department.

Mr. Newton

I shall continue to liaise closely with my colleague the Secretary of State for Education and Science and with other relevant colleagues, and I shall draw their attention to what my hon. Friend has said today.