§ Mr. Steenasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many community refurbishment schemes have received Government support in each of the last three years; at what cost; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir George YoungSince 1982–83, 12 community refurbishment schemes (CRS) have been launched on Merseyside and have benefited from funding under my Department's urban programme and from the Manpower Services Commission, totalling together about £16.5 million so far. Expenditure from 1982–83 to 1985–86 is set out in more detail as follows. It is not possible without disproportionate effort to provide details of the MSC's contribution by financial years. The MSC figures represent costs for the completed schemes or projections to the end of 1986.
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£ 9. Seaforth, Sefton * 10. Rivers Street 697,587 11. Central Birkenhead 1,038,500 12. Seacombe 682,646 7,640,551 * No Manpower Services Commission input. On 5 August 1985 my right hon. Friend announced that, following the success of CRS on Merseyside, the Government had decided to extend the initiative to provide for pilot schemes in six other conurbations:
- London
- The West Midlands
- The North East
- and areas centred on—
- Leeds/Bradford
- Manchester
- Sheffield
Since then, as one of the initiatives being pursued by the urban housing renewal unit, my right hon. Friend has given approval in principle to urban programme funding for CRS in Calderdale, Coventry, Gateshead, Bradford, Leeds, Hull, Wigan, Blackburn, and Hyndburn. In the current financial year, the level of urban programme support for these schemes from my Department is likely to he in the region at £1.69 million.