HC Deb 27 July 1977 vol 936 cc353-5W
20. Mr. Anthony Grant

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment to what extent the Government's partnership proposals for improving selected inner cities have been implemented to date.

Mr. Shore

Together with colleagues from other Departments, I have had useful meetings with the leaders of local authorities in Liverpool, Manchester and Salford, London Docklands and Lambeth; and I am meeting the leaders of Birmingham and West Midlands CC tomorrow. I hope that these partnerships can be launched formally immediately after the holiday. I have approved the first programmes of construction projects.

22. Mr. van Straubenzee

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment for what exact purposes he recently allocated £17 million to the Greater London Council for inner city renewal.

Mr. Shore

I allocated £17 million to the Docklands local authorities and health authorities jointly for construction projects of the kind suggested by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his Budget speech. I have authorised the larger part of this already and I am waiting for further proposals. If they are along the lines I expect then I am ready to authorise them straight away.

I envisage over half the Docklands package going to transport infrastructure improvements, both road and rail, with significant sums to advance factories, housing, health, community facilities and so on.

In addition the Inner London Education Authority has 2 million for education projects in Docklands and Lambeth.

25. Sir W. Elliott

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how much of the 100 million grant available for construction work in selected inner city areas has been spent to date.

Mr. Guy Barnett

My right hon. Friend has already authorised programmes of expenditure in Liverpool, Manchester and Salford, London Docklands and Lambeth.

28. Mr. Lawrence

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what further plans the Government are considering for those areas of multiple deprivation which have not benefited by the partnership proposals for selected inner cities.

32. Mr. Eyre

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what further plans the Government have made for those areas of multiple deprivation in major towns and cities which are not part of the Government partnership proposals.

Mr. Shore

Many areas suffering from multiple deprivation but not amongst those selected for partnership will benefit from the increase in the urban programme. For inner city areas, not only those selected for partnership, where much multiple deprivation is concentrated, the Government have announced their intention to ensure so far as practicable that their policies and programmes are given an inner area dimension and priority. And the needs element of RSG takes account of expenditure needs arising from multiple deprivation wherever it occurs.