§ Mr. Radiceasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he intends to publish the White Paper on inner city policy.
§ Mr. ShoreThe White Paper "Policy for Inner Cities" is published this morning. It is the result of the major review of inner city policy announced by the Prime Minister on 10th September 1976, and on which I made a statement to the House on 6th April. Copies of the White Paper are available in the Vote Office.
The main immediate emphasis is on the problems of the major cities. The existing Urban Programme of £30 million is to be increased to £125 million by 1979–80, and I have already issued invitations to participate in partnership arrangements with Government to the local authorities in Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester and Salford, and in London, to Lambeth, the Dockland authorities and the GLC, all of whom have indicated their willingness to take part. I am arranging meetings with the leaders of those authorities so that we may set up partnership arrangements as quickly as possible. I am also currently considering proposals for what will necessarily be a strictly limited number of additional partnerships with other authorities with substantial urban problems. I shall announce decisions as soon as the discussions are completed.
Outside the partnership arrangements the Government intend that other cities and towns should benefit, although to a lesser extent, both in the new emphasis to be given to the main programmes of central and local government, and from the enhancement of the Urban Programme.