§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which projects the community investment fund(a) has invested in and (b) made grants to in the financial year 1995–96 and how much by region; if he will name the projects; and what amount of money has been committed. [34352]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordEnglish Partnerships has approved a total investment of £919,000 for community investment fund projects since the launch of the fund in June 1995. Payments to the value of £80,000 were made during 1995–96. The agency has set aside £3 million a year for the future operation of the fund. The community investment fund covers only those projects undertaken by voluntary and community groups which require an English Partnerships investment of less than £100,000. Most of the agency's partnership investment projects also have community benefits. In addition, the agency supports the groundwork foundation and groundwork trusts in developing community-based initiatives for the clearance and remediation of small sites. I have asked English Partnerships to write to the hon. Member with a list of all these projects, by region. A copy of the letter will be placed in the Library of the House.