§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the work of the Rural Development Commission, in particular regarding its programme of assisting balanced and viable local communities in the more remote regions of England.
§ Mr. TrippierThe annual report of the Rural Development Commission for 1988–89 has recently been published and copies have been placed in the Library. The Rural Development Commission is the principal agency in England charged with carrying forward the Government's policy of diversifying the rural economy. Its programmes for that purpose make a major contribution to maintaining balanced and viable communities in rural areas, and it also assists that objective by measures to increase the supply of affordable housing in rural areas and by helping community groups and community development projects. The bulk of the Commission's expenditure is targeted towards its priority areas, the rural development areas, which are mostly in the more remote regions of England.
§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether there are any plans to increase the measures available to the Rural Development Commission for promoting community development.
§ Mr. TrippierThe Rural Development Commission has already increased the proportion of its funds devoted to community development and self-help. It is now planning to launch a new fund targeted on the problems of disadvantaged groups in rural areas.