§ Mr. AltonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what time scale he how puts on the completion of the city challenge flagship project at St. Andrew's gardens project in Liverpool; and what funding will be made available for the project in the present financial year and the next;
(2) when he expects to hold the public inquiry into the Russell street-Berry street link road, Liverpool; and when it is likely that a decision will be available;
(3) what assessment he has made as to the effect of the public inquiry into the Russell street-Berry street link road, Liverpool on the city challenge flagship project at St. Andrew's gardens.
§ Mr. BaldryI cannot say at this stage, when the public inquiry into the Russell street-Berry street link road might be held or when a decision will be issued. Arrangements for the inquiry will be put in hand once the planning and listed building consent applications and related documents requested from Liverpool city council on 16 February have been received.
The original time scale projected for the completion of the St. Andrew's gardens project was June 1966. My officials are currently discussing with Liverpool City Challenge and Merseyside Improved Houses what steps need to be taken to avoid significant delays as a result of the call-in and public inquiry.
Funding for the vacant stock initiative element of the project, through Liverpool City Challenge, is as follows:
£million 1992–93 2.400 1993–94 11.047 1994–95 11,354 1995–96 10.703 1 Estimated. City Challenge funding for the houses for sale element—in addition to private sector investment is:
£million 1995–96 10.420 1996–97 10.280 1 Estimated.