§ 81. Mr. Anthony CoombsTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will report upon the progress of the Government's inner-city initiative.
§ Mr. ForthUnder the comprehensive range of measures, costing £3.5 million this year, which makes up the Action for Cities initiative, good progress continues to be made in the regeneration of our inner cities. In the 57 inner city target areas, unemployment fell by almost 24 per cent. in the 12 months to May 1989. Recorded crime in the Metropolitan police force areas fell by 6 per cent. in 1988. Involvement of private companies continues to grow—over the last six months the number of companies working with the Government's inner city task forces has increased from 450 to 500.