HC Deb 20 July 1988 vol 137 c673W
12. Mr. Burt

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what level of grant assistance has so far been awarded to the seven urban development corporations created in December 1987.

Mr. Ridley

Grant-in-aid for all English urban development corporations in the financial year 1988–89 is £203 million. Of this, £15 million has been set aside for UDCs to be established during the financial year.

41. Mr. Favell

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has decided who will become the chairmen of the seven urban development corporations created in December 1987.

Mr. Trippier

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has appointed Dr. James Grigor as chairman of the Central Manchester development corporation, Mr. Peter Hartley as chairman of the Leeds development corporation, Mr. Hugh Sykes as chairman of the Sheffield development corporation and Mr. Christopher Thomas as chairman-designate of the proposed Bristol development corporation.

45. Mr. Devlin

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made with regard to the seven urban development corporations created in December 1987.

Mr. Trippier

Good progress is being made by all the urban development corporations (UDCs). Three new UDCs and an extension to the Black Country DC were announced last December, a further UDC and an extension to Merseyside DC were announced in March. I am pleased to say that three of the four new UDCs (Central Manchester, Sheffield and Leeds DC) and the extension to the Black Country DC were established on 30 June. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State laid an order to designate the Merseyside DC extension on 12 July. Bristol city council has unfortunately petitioned against the order to establish a Bristol DC, resulting in considerable cost and delay.