HC Deb 11 May 1988 vol 133 c155W
90. Mr. Andrew Hargreaves

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how he plans to increase further private sector investment in inner city renewal.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

The Government will encourage greater private investment in inner cities through the new and expanded urban development corporations, city grant, which bridges the gap between cost and profitability and by other new measures aimed at small firms, including support under the enterprise initiative to help inner city businesses improve their performance. We also intend to increase the supply of managed accommodation for new businesses in inner cities through English Estates. Locally, city action teams and task forces will continue to work in partnership with business. Ministers are giving a series of breakfast presentations to senior business men in major cities to give companies practical advice about how they can help the drive to make the deprived districts of their own city more prosperous and how the Government can support them.