§ Dr. TwinnTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on recent developments in the inner cities initiative.
§ Mr. NewtonSince the launch of Action for Cities in March 1988 progress in the inner cities has been immensely encouraging. Unemployment has fallen by more than 20540W per cent. major improvements in training, housing and the infrastructure are taking place and the Government's commitment to its Action for Cities programmes has increased to £3.5 billion for 1989–90.
Particularly encouraging are the increasing involvement and commitment of the private sector, and the growing extent of partnership between public authorities, the private sector, voluntary bodies and local people.
On 9 March this year I launched the report "Progress on Cities", which gives a more detailed picture of recent achievements in inner city areas.