§ Mr. Altonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many urban aid projects will become time-expired at the end of March 1981; and what is their total value.
§ Mr. KingThis information is not yet available. The Department is consulting those local authorities with urban aid projects approved more than four years ago to see how many will come up for renewal in March 1981, under the new rules announced in urban programme circular 20 published last September.
§ Mr. Altonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how much of the total Liverpool urban aid allocation is to be terminated; and what will be the effect of the Holly Road project in Edge Hill which deals with 43 handicapped children.
§ Mr. KingNo decision to terminate part of Liverpool's urban aid allocation has been taken. The Holly Road project in Edge Hill has been grant-aided under the urbanprogramme since April 1975, and will come up for renewal in March 1981.
§ Mr. Altonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment, in view of the effects which his changes in urban aid policy have had on renewal and time-expired projects, if he will revert to the previous system of granting urban aid; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. KingIt was announced last autumn that the traditional urban programme projects would come up for review after five years. This change will not take effect until March 1981. Projects can thereafter be resubmitted for fresh approvals. It is in everyone's interest to keep the older projects under review. But we are looking at any particular problems this change in the rules may cause.