§ 12. Mr. Paddy Tipping (Sherwood)What proportion of millennium projects will be outside London. [41998]
§ The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Mr. Chris Smith)The Millennium Commission has awarded just under £1.24 billion to 185 capital projects across the United Kingdom; 89.5 per cent. of the total has been awarded outside Greater London.
§ Mr. TippingWill the Secretary of State continue to consider the amount of funding going to the English 13 regions, particularly the east midlands? Will he turn his attention to the coalfield community landmark scheme, which I know he supports, and look at the apparent difficulties between the Millennium Commission and the partners?
§ Mr. SmithFirst, my hon. Friend is right to identify the issue of relative underfunding of the east midlands region. The Millennium Commission is seeking particularly to address that through the awards scheme to individuals, which is up and running and proving to be remarkably successful. Secondly, I very strongly support the coalfield community project in principle. I know that there have been some difficulties with the details of the project, but I shall ensure that the Millennium Commission approaches them sympathetically.