§ Mr. HeddleTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what measures have been introduced following the report of the National Audit Office to monitor payments of grants under the urban programme and to assess the effectiveness of the programme; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. TrippierVarious measures were introduced under the urban programme management initiative in 1985 in anticipation of the NAO report that year. These included the preparation by each local authority of standardised inner area programmes, annual reports and regular financial forecasts. The Department annually examines selected projects and has a continuing programme of research to assess the programme's effectiveness.