Urban Policy (Hansard, 1 December 1993)

§ 9. Mr. O'Hara
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on current Government urban policy.

§ 12. Dr. Berry
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on current Government urban policy.

§ Sir George Young
The Government will continue to support urban regeneration through a range of initiatives, including the single regeneration budget announced by my right hon. Friend on 4 November.

§ Mr. O'Hara
The Minister will be aware that Sefton may have been awarded city challenge resources, but Knowsley, which neighbours Sefton and has similar problems that are no less severe, was denied the resources, despite an excellent presentation. Will he recognise that the consolation prize of £1 million-worth of urban partnership funding can be seen locally only as a sop when it is accompanied by a rapid rundown in urban programme funding? The authority used to receive that funding at a level of £4.5 million per annum and used it to address strategically a wide range of economic, social and environmental problems. Will the Minister give a commitment to restore urban funding in my borough of Knowsley to such a level and in such a manner that it will be able once again to address its many problems coherently and will not be forced reluctantly to indulge in an annual game of urban funding bingo?

§ Sir George Young
As the hon. Member knows, the urban programme is being phased out, but alternative opportunities are available to his constituency—for example, we are spending £10 million through estate action to remodel the Lickers Lane estate in Whiston. We are giving help to three local shopping parades—Liverpool road, Leathers lane and Hillside road. The hon. Gentleman's authority has received £20 million in urban programme resources over the past 10 years. Although it may not have been successful with city challenge, there has been a substantial investment in that part of the country by my Department in particular schemes, which I am sure has been of benefit to his constituents.

§ Dr. Berry
What plans does the Minister have for places like Bristol, where existing Government schemes are coming to an end? It has lost area task force money, it is losing the safer cities project money and it does not have the benefit of assisted area status. How will the proposed Minister for Bristol fit into the plans? Would not a better alternative be to fund properly a democratically elected local council?

§ Sir George Young
The hon. Gentleman mentions all the things that Bristol does not have, but forgets to mention Bristol development corporation, which has just spent £47 million building a spine road linking the M32 to the A4. It is building a new shopping centre and a new business centre, and is helping to regenerate the whole area around Temple Meads station. For the hon. Gentleman to criticise the failure to win a number of smaller prizes when the area has the real help of that development corporation is to look through the telescope the wrong way.

§ Mr. Bates
Can my right hon. Friend confirm that this year the county of Cleveland will benefit from £100 million from the Government for urban regeneration? Central to that will be the continued excellent work of Teesside development corporation, which has attracted 7,500 jobs since it was established. Does he agree that that success and investment would make Teesside an ideal location for the new headquarters for the Urban Regeneration Agency?

§ Sir George Young
My hon. Friend's note of optimism strikes a much more recognisable tone on behalf of his constituents than do some of the Opposition complaints. It is certainly true that the development corporations in the north-east are transforming prospects and providing a much broader base for the economy and more jobs. I am grateful to my hon. Friend for the part that he plays in further pursuing the work of the development corporation in his constituency.