§ Dr. CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the cost to his Department of setting up and administering the Cumbria action team.
§ Mr. LeighThe Cumbria action team was set up as part of the Special measures for Cumbria announced by the Secretary of State in June. A special fund of up to £1 million was allocated to the team in order to support local initiatives in the area. The special fund is solely for programme expenditure. All administrative costs are included in the overall running costs of the DTI's north-west regional office. Three officials are currently working full-time on Cumbria issues, with support from others in the regional office.
§ Dr. CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the projects in Copeland which have received financial assistance from the Cumbria action team.
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§ Mr. LeighThe £1 million special fund will complement the £15 million English Estates building programme, which is due to commence in January.
The Cumbria action team has been working with Copeland local authority, the West Cumbria development agency and other bodies locally, to identify suitable projects for support under the special fund.
A number of projects are now under active consideration and I hope to announce a number of approvals shortly.