§ Mr. Pikeasked the Secretary of State for the Environment which councils are at present involved in Operation Groundwork; and what financial provision has been made for this programme in the current financial year by his Department.
§ Sir George YoungKnowsley and St. Helens borough councils and Merseyside county council. Macclesfield, Oldham, Rochdale, Rossendale, Salford, Trafford and Wigan together with Lancashire and Greater Manchester are involved in the related Groundwork North-West. The trusts are partly funded by the Countryside Commission. My Department supports directly only the associated land reclamation projects of the councils: in 1983–84 estimated expenditure on such projects totals £1.4 million — Operation Groundwork — and £2.75 million — Groundwork North-West.
§ Mr. Pikeasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has for the expansion of Operation Groundwork in 1984–85; and what financial provision his Department has made for that year.
§ Sir George YoungSupport for Operation Groundwork and Groundwork North-West will continue in 1984–85. The exact level of provision will be settled in the course of the year. Discussions are being held between my Department and the Countryside Commission about the options for extending the Groundwork approach of co-operation between public, private and voluntary sectors to improving the urban fringe.