§ Mr. Alfred MorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations the Minister of State has received from the chief executive of Manchester city council about the proposed reduction in grant paid under section 11 of the Local Government Act 1966; what reply he is sending; what action he will be taking; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter LloydI have received a letter dated 10 February. In my reply, dated 26 February, I reaffirmed that the Government remain firmly committed to the reduction of racial disadvantage; that section 11 grant200W continues to play an important role in our programme; that we regret that, due to the general economic circumstances, it is not possible to sustain throughout the next three years the level of expenditure that had earlier been planned; and that we are anxious to work closely with local authorities and others to ensure that members of ethnic minorities derive maximum benefit from the substantial amount of funding which is available.