HC Deb 08 March 1989 vol 148 cc522-3W
Mr. Leighton

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what procedure there is to monitor the achievement of the objective of 25 per cent. of new jobs created in the royal docks going to Newham residents as set out in the memorandum of agreement between the London borough of Newham and the London Docklands development corporation.

Mr. Trippier

The London Docklands development corporation and the London borough of Newham plan an employment monitoring unit, staffed by the borough, in an LDDC building in the royal docks. This building, which will also accommodate employment and training counselling, is to be refurbished by LDDC, and should be completed by the end of the year.

Mr. Leighton

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the 1989–90 London Docklands development corporation corporate plan will be published.

Mr. Trippier

The LDDC aims to publish the 1989 corporate plan in September.

Mr. Leighton

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has taken any action with regard to the London Docklands development corporation following the National Audit Office report on urban development corporations; whether he will be taking any action in the future; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Trippier

The effectiveness of the LDDC, and of the Department's controls, are kept under continuous review. The NAO's findings are influencing that process. The report of the Public Accounts Committee is awaited, and the Government will respond to that at the appropriate time.

Mr. Leighton

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the latest estimate of London Docklands development corporation spending on support of provision of education, training, community health care, and community and recreation facilities noted in the National Audit Office report on urban development corporations, paragraph 2.27; if he will give a breakdown by type of the proposed expenditure over the period 1988 to 1993; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Trippier

The corporation is currently preparing this information for its next corporate plan, which will then be submitted to the Department for consideration. Expenditure from 1 April 1987 to 31 January 1989 on these items was as follows:

£ million
Voluntary sector 1.375
Health 0.092
Education and training 2.840
Other social 6.421
TOTAL 10.728

Mr. Leighton

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what funding allocation for the construction of the Docklands light railway eastern extension to Beckton has been made to the London Docklands development corporation.

Mr. Trippier

No public expenditure has been allocated. The Beckton extension of the docklands light railway will be funded from land sales.

Mr. Leighton

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he intends to approve a deferred purchase or payment scheme to fund the construction of the Docklands light railway eastern extension to Beckton; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Trippier

The DLR Beckton extension will be financed from land sales. No decision has been reached on the precise funding mechanism.

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