§ Mr. Tony Banksasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what procedures are in operation within his Department to ensure that schemes funded through the urban housing renewal unit promote equality of opportunity in housing provision for ethnic minority groups, women and people with a disability; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John PattenApplications for support by estate action (formerly the urban housing renewal unit) are formulated by local authorities taking account of local needs and circumstances. My Department considers all applications on their merits, but we insist that an objective of every scheme must be to secure better delivery of services to all the people who live on the estates.