§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will detail his reason for rejecting an application for urban aid to support the vehicle watch scheme pioneered in Newport.
§ Sir Wyn RobertsThe urban programme is a competitive scheme. In the 1992–93 programme, priority was given to strategy-based projects and projects targeted at the most deprived wards in Wales, as identified under the 1991 ward-based index of deprivation. Beyond this, we continue to give the highest priority to major economic and environmental projects and to voluntary sector inspired schemes.
The vehicle watch project was not successful because, in urban programme terms, other projects were regarded as having a higher priority under the above criteria.
I was, however, pleased to support the launch of Vehicle Watch Wales with a grant of £7,000 towards the cost of producing bilingual literature.
§ Mr. Roy HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received from Gwent police authority concerning the financing of its vehicle watch scheme; what response he has made; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir Wyn RobertsThe clerk of Gwent police authority wrote to the Department on 11 February. The letter is under consideration and a reply will be issued shortly. I was pleased to support the launch of Vehicle Watch Wales with a grant of £7,000 towards the cost of producing bilingual literature.