HC Deb 01 March 1988 vol 128 cc518-9W
Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what meetings he has sought with representatives of local authorities prior to publishing his White Paper on the inner cities; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

[holding answer 29 February 1988]: I have many meetings with representatives of local authorities and others to discuss the contribution which they can make to encouraging inner city regeneration.

Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the future role his Department envisages for local authorities in the regeneration of inner city areas.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

[holding answer 29 February 1988]: Local authorities can play an important role in creating the right conditions for business growth and individual enterprise. For further reading I commend the paper, "The Local Right—Enabling not Providing," by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, published on 29 February by the Centre for Policy Studies (Policy Study No. 92).