§ Mrs. Ann WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when draft guidelines were issued by his Department in connection with possible applications for assistance under the single regeneration budget; what response he received to those draft guidelines; on what date he expects to be able to publish final guidelines; by what date initial approval for applications under the scheme must be made; and what is the final deadline for approved applications.
§ Mr. BaldryDraft guidance to those with an interest in bidding for funding from the single regeneration budget for 1995–96 was issued for consultation on 14 January, with responses requested by 25 February. Ten thousand copies of the draft guidance were circulated, 11 seminars held throughout England, and several hundred written responses received. Those responding to the consultation were broadly in favour of the budget, but made a wide range of detailed points.
The final guidance, taking account of the responses to consultation, will be issued on 14 April, and copies will be placed in the Library of the House. The guidance will require applications for funding to be made to Government offices for the regions by 7 September 1994. Bidders will be encouraged to discuss their potential bids in outline with regional offices by the end of May 1994. It is intended that final decisions on the bid applications will be made known in early January 1995.