§ Mr. Wareingasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if the Minister for Housing and Construction will make a statement on his visit to Liverpool on Thursday 28 June.
§ Mr. GowI visited Liverpool on 28 June at the invitation of the hon. Members for Liverpool, West Derby (Mr. Wareing), for Liverpool, Walton (Mr. Heffer) and for Liverpool, Riverside (Mr. Parry). My programme included visits to ex MoD "Unity" houses at West Derby; flats and maisonettes at Croxteth—including the Regal Tower high rise block; timber fronted houses at Storrington avenue; the Radcliffe estate; high rise blocks at Everton; a housing co-operative development at Grafton street; council housing in Toxteth; some housing action areas; and council estates at Belle Vale, Netherley and Speke.
I noted past errors in design and construction compounded by poor management and maintenance over many years, and some excellent results achieved by the private sector and housing associations. The first priorities are to make substantial improvements in the standards of management, repair and maintenance and to regenerate the worst areas, using all available resources, including the private sector and the resourcefulness of the local community. I was impressed by the co-operation between the city council and the Merseyside task force in their joint determination to achieve this.