§ Mr. Hancockasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if Portsmouth city council has approached his Department for any help from the urban housing renewal unit; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir George YoungThe head of the urban housing renewal unit, Peter Emms, wrote to the chief executive of Portsmouth city council on 24 June offering the unit's services. He has not yet received a reply.
The hon. Gentleman will be aware from my letter to him of 10 July of the great importance which the Government attach to the unit's work in helping local authorities tackle their rundown estates. The unit can offer an expert, independent and individual assessment of the problems, and suggest a package of measures for dealing with them. The unit can also help authorities to make full use of private and public sector funding opportunities. I hope that the hon. Gentleman will give the unit his full support.