§ Ms. HarmanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about progress on Southwark council's bids under the city challenge scheme; and how many other councils have submitted applications.
§ Mr. Robin Squire[holding answer 26 June 1992]: Fifty-four local authorities, including the London borough of Southwark, have submitted bids in the current round of city challenge. All the bids have been assessed against the aims and criteria set out in the published bidding guidance. Ministers from the Department of the Environment have considered the bids and reports of the regional presentations to officials and have met each bidding authority. The successful authorities will be announced by the end of July 1992.