§ Mr. Peter PikeTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what response he has received from private sector industry in the north-west to his inner-cities initiative.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe private sector has responded very well to our inner-cities policies in the north-west. The Action for Cities working breakfasts held in Manchester and Liverpool attracted over 400 business men, almost one third of whom have already offered to help. Examples of the offers of help from the private sector include secondments, use of a redundant sports centre to help handicapped and able-bodied unemployed people, free consultancies and land use for investment and managed work space purposes We are also making encouraging progress in the three inner city task forces based in the north-west that are working with 23 businesses which have committed funds of almost half a million pounds.