§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will give an assurance that in any reduction in Government expenditure in general and urban aid programmes in particular he will take special note of the many difficulties now confronting local authorities with large immigrant populations and ensure that these will continue 252W to receive special financial assistance to overcome their housing, education and other environmental and social problems.
§ Mr. KingMy right hon. Friend is fully aware of the problems faced by these and many other local authorities. It would, however be wrong for me to give any blanket assurances about grant aid in advance of the completion of our review of public expenditure.