§ Mr. Spearingasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what delays have occurred in processing applications by private firms in the London dockland areas for grants in respect of the Inner Urban Areas Act 1978;
(2) what are the reasons for the delays in determining applications under the Inner Urban Areas Act 1978 in respect of the urban programme in the London docklands.
§ Mr. KingApplications by private firms for assistance under the Inner Urban Areas Act 1978 are made to the appropriate local authorities. Some such applications have been submitted to the Department by local authorities in the London docklands area for funding under the urban programme in 1981–82. My right hon. Friend made a provisional allocation of £23 million for the docklands urban programme for the current year. The docklands authorities have represented that this allocation is insufficient to meet their commitments. The allocation is therefore being reviewed and the result will be announced as soon as possible. Until then, approval cannot be given for new projects to be started.