§ Mr. Peter Bruinvelsasked the Paymaster General if the Highfields task force is receiving the full co-operation of Leicester city council and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth Clarke[pursuant to his reply, 23 June 1986, c. 13]: I would prefer that the Highfields task force should work in close co-operation with Leicester city council. My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Industry and I have both held separate meetings with the council to explain our plans and seek its assistance with them. I have to say we both encountered a certain amount of hostility from some councillors. I very much hope therefore that the council, which is still considering its relationship with the task force, will now give the initiative its full support so that the task force and the city council can start working together to tackle the urgent problems in Highfields.