§ Mr. Thorntonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what reports so far have been submitted to him by the group of managers of financial institutions seconded to his Department to study inner city problems; and what action he proposes to take.
§ Mr. HeseltineThe purpose of the financial institutions group is to develop new approaches and ideas for securing urban regeneration. Members of the group are seconded as individuals. They do not, individually or collectively, represent their parent institutions.
I have not asked the group as a whole to make formal recommendations. I shall, however, expect to receive suggestions and ideas—which may be addressed to private as well as to Government bodies—from the seconded managers during the course of the exercise. I do not propose to publish as a matter of course memoranda prepared by the managers: how each is best taken forward will depend on the circumstances of the case. I shall keep the House informed of progress.