HC Deb 30 January 1996 vol 270 cc769-70
9. Mr. Livingstone

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on his current regeneration policies. [10376]

Mr. Curry

Our regeneration policies will focus on the single regeneration budget, which will continue to be distributed on a competitive basis.

Mr. Livingstone

Does the Minister agree that the fact that only one in five bids are successful represents a huge waste in terms of expenditure on consultants' fees and working out schemes? If we could remove that beauty contest element from the policy, the money could be used to improve areas?

Mr. Curry

The hon. Gentleman is factually incorrect, because the success rate is about 50 per cent. If local authorities are not working out how to regenerate their areas, they are clearly deficient in one of their major functions.

Mr. Bellingham

Is my hon. Friend aware that there was great rejoicing in the North Lynn part of my constituency when it was announced that his Department was making available a large amount of single regeneration cash? Will that not make up for the jobs lost at Anglian Canners four years ago and lead to new jobs and welcome environmental improvements? Is it not a good example of the public and private sectors working together?

Mr. Curry

It is an excellent example and it illustrates one of the points made earlier: that these funds can be spent in regions that are not metropolitan, where considerable needs exist and where they secure considerable benefits. The bid succeeded because it qualified competitively. No one receives an award without qualifying competitively.