HC Deb 09 December 1981 vol 14 cc435-6W
Mr. Kaufman

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list actions taken to assist Merseyside and additional finance provided for Merseyside since he took special responsibility for that area; and if, for the period since that date, he will list similar actions and financial provision for all other partnership and programme authorities.

Mr. Heseltine

I announced a number of measures to assist Merseyside in my statement of 5 August, following my visit to Merseyside in the summer. I am sending a copy of my statement to the right hon. Member and am placing a copy of it in the Library.

Since the Prime Minister's statement of 9 October—I refer the right hon. Member to my answer to my hon. Friend the member for Liverpool, Wavertree (Mr. Steen) on 26 October 1981—[Vol. 10, c.294]—the interdepartmental task force has begun its work, and I shall report further progress to the House in due course.

Action in other areas has been within the partnership and programme authorisation.