§ Mr. Clinton Davisasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, as an incentive towards economic regeneration in the inner cities, he will consider recommending the establishment of an award for local enterprise along the lines of existing schemes for industry and exports.
§ Mr. John Grantasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give an assurance that inner city partnership funds will be maintained as at present or increased in real terms; and if he will make a statement.
248W
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergFigures for the number of council dwellings sold by each London borough in 1976 and 1977 have been published in Local Housing Statistics, issues 41 and 45. Information currently available for 1978, which in some instances may not cover the full year, is as follows:
§ Mr. KingThe Government are conducting a rigorous review of public expenditure: the results of this, and whether it will affect the inner city programme, will be announced in due course.
§ Mr. John Grantasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he will take to stimulate the development of small firms in the inner cities.
§ Mr. KingMeasures to help small firms, many of which are in the inner cities, are under consideration. The economic and employment aspects of inner city policies will also be reviewed in the coming months.
§ Mr. John Grantasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he intends 249W to introduce free enterprise zones in the inner cities in which Government subsidies are withdrawn in favour of the free market.
§ Mr. KingPolicies for inner city areas will be reviewed over the coming few months in consultation with the local authorities concerned.