§ Mr. O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the programmes prepared by his Department to help local authorities who have schemes to regenerate decaying areas of their authority commencing in the year 1991–92; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PortilloMy Department supports a wide range of programmes promoting the regeneration of inner-city areas and treatment of dereliction. These are:
1991–92 resources1 £ million Urban Programme2 243.2 City Grants 66.0 Derelict Land Grant2 75.5 Urban Development Corporations 473.1 City Action Teams 8.1 Estate Action Programme2 268.0 1 Central Government provision. 2 Resourced jointly with local authorities. Housing renewal programmes, enterprise zones, garden festivals and the Department's inner cities and urban land research programmes also contribute to regeneration.
§ Mr. O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what advice he has given to local authorities who wish to invest capital receipts in a regeneration programme; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PortilloLocal authorities are free to invest the usable part of their capital receipts as they wish, including in projects to promote regeneration.