HC Deb 02 April 2003 vol 402 cc900-1
2. Mr. Graham Allen (Nottingham, North)

If he will visit Nottingham, North to discuss regeneration in the constituency. [106160]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (Mr. Tony McNulty)

I had the opportunity last September to visit Nottingham as part of a wider visit to the east midlands, and was encouraged to see the excellent regeneration work carried out by local partners. I understand that my noble Friend Lord Rooker has agreed to visit Nottingham later this year, and hopes to visit a number of regeneration projects in the city area.

Mr. Allen

I thank my hon. Friend for both his answer and his personal commitment on the question of travellers, which has been very well received in my constituency and, I know, in many others.

Nottingham, North has some nine wards, all of which are in the bottom 150 in the list of the 8,500 most deprived wards in terms of education, training and skills. There are many Government schemes, grants and programmes, but local people sometimes feel that they are not sufficiently co-ordinated. Will my hon. Friend consider that next time he visits Nottingham, North, when he will be most welcome?

Mr. McNulty

My hon. Friend should know that when I was in Nottingham, I discussed those matters with, among others, representatives of the chamber of commerce, the Greater Nottingham partnership and the One City partnership, which is the local strategic partnership. I conscientiously keep in touch with my hon. Friend the Member for Nottingham, East (Mr. Heppell) about developments in the Radford and Hyson Green new deal for communities.

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