§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list in the Official Report the organisations which have written to him complaining at the Liverpool City Council's application for urban aid under Circular Number 14.
§ Mr. Alexander W. LyonWe have received letters on this matter from the following organisations: West Everton Age Concern; The "Roots" Organisation; "Home Link" Project, Netherley; The Victoria Settlement; Walton Play Association; St. Peter's Church/Shrewsbury House; West Everton Community Council; The Rathbone Project; Young Volunteers of Merseyside.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from the Liverpool City Council concerning aid under the urban programme Circular No. 14; what reply he has sent; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Alexander W. LyonLiverpool City Council has explained that it had three points particularly in mind when applying under Circular No. 14 for grant aid on 14 capital and two non-capital projects, namely, the general economic situation; central Government advice about levels of local authority spending in 1976–1977; and the high level of unemployment in Liverpool. The results of applications under Circular No. 14 are due to be announced by February 1976.
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§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the application of the Liverpool City Council concerning urban aid under Circular 14, details of which have been sent to him by the hon. Member for Liverpool, Scotland Exchange.
§ Mr. Alexander W. LyonThe details sent to us by my hon. Friend show that there is concern among voluntary organisations in Liverpool because projects proposed by them have not been included in the application made by Liverpool City Council in response to Urban Programme Circular Number 14. The application is now being considered.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria are laid down by the Home Office for consideration of applications under the urban aid programme; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Alexander W. LyonProjects are selected for approval in the light of local authorities' own priorities and the Government's wish to encourage a wide range of projects, including schemes sponsored by voluntary bodies.
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PROJECTS APPROVED FOR LIVERPOOL UNDER THE URBAN PROGRAMME 1971–1975 Year of approval project Cost initially approved 1971 £ Circular No. 3, approved (a) Capital Projects January 1971. St. Saviour's CE PS Nursery Class 14,520 St. Patrick's RC PS 2 Nursery Classes 27,750 Our Lady Mt. Carmel RC PS Nursery Class 14,520 Norman Pannell CPS 2 Nursery Classes 26,550 New Day Nursery, Chatsworth Street 37,500 New Day Nursery, Croxteth 37,500 Rest Centre for Elderly and Handicapped, Mann Island Pier Head 31,100 Playroom, Falkner Street Hostel 600 Group Instruction Centre for the Elderly, and Temporary Accommodation Unit, Langtry Street 1,125 Adventure Playgrounds, Abercromby Community Council 8,625 Mobile Housing Information Office 4,500 (b) Recurrent Non-capital Projects Grant for Day Nursery at Falkner House Hostel 60 p.a. Appointment of Officer for General Improvement Areas 2,000 p.a. Aid to Liverpool Council of Social Service to provide Play groups 2,000 p.a. Grant to Princes Park and Granby Community Centre 1,000 p.a. (c) Non-recurrent Non-capital Projects Day Nursery at Falkner House Hostel 600 Mobile Citizens Advice Bureau 2,750 Grant to Park Lane Community Council 800
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance is given to local authorities for the submission of schemes under the urban aid programme.
§ Mr. Alexander W. LyonThe circulars issued to local authorities by the Home Office, in consultation with other Departments, inviting applications for grant aid under the urban programme offer suggestions for projects that may be proposed for urban areas of special social need, express the hope that voluntary organisations will be encouraged to participate in the programme and draw attention to the special needs of ethnic minorities. They also explain in detail how to apply. Copies of these circulars are held in the Library.