§ Mr. Ernie Rossasked the Prime Minister is she is satisfied, in the light of the smaller numbers of circulars issued by the Scottish Office on the urban programme in Scotland compared with the number issued by the Department of the Environment in respect of England, that the urban programme in Scotland is being properly administered; and what is the reason for the discrepancy between the two Departments.
§ The Prime MinisterYes. In England, under the "traditional" urban programme, local authorities are invited to apply for grant towards projects in areas of special social need by means of an annual circular setting out the criteria for that year. In Scotland, where there are effective informal arrangements between the Scottish Office and the smaller number of eligible local authorities, a formal annual circular has not been required.