§ Lord Sefton of Garstonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is their attitude to the conclusions on page xlii, Chapter 6 of the 3rd Report of the Environment Committee, 1982–83, published on 12th May 1983, and whether they still support in principle the Task Force for Merseyside.
§ The Minister of State, Department of The Environment (Lord Elton)Her Majesty's Government's attitude to the 3rd Report of the Environment Committee 1982–83 is set out in the memorandum by the Department of the Environment published on 1st February 1984. The Government have established the Merseyside Task Force as a more permanent presence on Merseyside. In addition to its responsibilities for special projects it has taken over responsibility, within the Department of the Environment, for most of the main programmes of local authorities within its area, and for the Merseyside Development Corporation. Officials of the Department of the Environment continue to work closely with those of the DTI, MSC and other departments with relevant responsibilities.