§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he is satisfied with the working of the task force on Merseyside; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he has any plans to expand the task force on Merseyside; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RidleyThe Merseyside task force deals with a range of functions appropriate to a regional office of my Department, including housing matters, derelict land grant, the urban programme and the funding of the Merseyside Development Corporation. It is involved also with local authorities, the Housing Corporation and private companies in promoting special initiatives to tackle particular problems in the area. There is close collaboration at local level with the Department of Industry MSC, and other Government Departments.
100WThe task force continues to make an important contribution to the Government's policies aimed at securing the regeneration of the area.