§ Mr. McCrindleasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to involve the private sector in his reform of inner city aid; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir George YoungThe ministerial guidelines for the urban programme indicate that local authorities should work with the private sector and should in particular consult the local private sector on the scope and content of inner area programmes as they are being drawn up. Within the urban programme, encouragement is given to economic projects, those which stimulate wealth creation, increase economic activity and employment opportunities, bring idle assets of land and buildings into use, remove obstacles to development and investment, and improve business confidence. Local authorities are also encouraged to make full use of urban development grant, which is intended to bring about private sector investment in inner urban areas.