§ 32. Mr. MudieTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consultations he has had with interested bodies with regard to the establishment of the urban regeneration agency.
§ Mr. RedwoodThe Department will consult interested bodies on the proposals to establish an urban regeneration agency.
§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what procedures will be established to enable Parliament to monitor and seek information on the activities of the proposed urban regeneration agency; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RedwoodThe urban regeneration agency will be a sponsored body working under the guidance of the Secretary of State and reporting direct to him. It is therefore appropriate for him to be accountable to Parliament for the agency.
§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) when he envisages the proposed urban regeneration agency will be established; and what will be its annual budget for its first three years of operation;
(2) whether responsibility for (a) city grant, (b) urban development corporations, (c) enterprise zones, (d) land 129W registers, (e) task forces, (f) derelict land grant, (g) city action teams, (h) urban programme, (i) city challenge and (j) simplified planning zones will be transferred to the proposed urban regeneration agency.
§ Mr. RedwoodThese matters are being finalised. The primary function of the agency will, however, be to bring about the development of vacant and derelict land in urban areas and its responsibilities will reflect this.