§ Mr. Michael Shawasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how much has been spent on Operation Eyesore in each of the economic planning areas of the country to date.
§ Mr. RipponFigures of expenditure are not available, but the numbers and estimated costs of projects approved during the period of the scheme are as follows:
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Region Number of projects Total estimated cost£ Northern 3,541 8,739,400 North West 6,754 17,206,272 Yorkshire and Humberside 3,847 7,925,106 East Midlands 199 1,212,723 West Midlands 694 964,919 South West 197 453,456 TOTAL—ENGLAND 15,232 36,501,876
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from the hon. Member for Eccles about Operation Eyesore and church graveyards; what reply he has sent; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RipponA project for the tidying up and partial grassing over of the graveyard of St. John's Church, Pendlebury, was approved for grant by my Department under Operation Eyesore in January. Following a recent inquiry about this project from the hon. Member to the Department the local authority informed the Department that, following certain complaints, it had suspended work while it confirmed that the preliminary steps necessary when work of this kind is undertaken had been taken. After receiving this confirmation it has allowed the work to be resumed.