§ Mr. Frank FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what are the rules concerning bidding for city challenge scheme funds in years two to five for the 11 pacemaker authorities in the first round; and what guidance has been issued to such authorities;
(2) in what circumstances a pacemaker authority, for the purposes of the city challenge scheme, may not receive moneys in years two to five.
§ Mr. Robin SquireThe action plans of the 11 city challenge pacemakers, covering five-year regeneration programmes 1992 to 1997, were agreed in February and March this year. Full financial provision for these programmes has been included in the settlement announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 12 November. The agreement to provide funding is subject to individual annual reviews of progress toward achieving the strategic objectives and outputs specified in the plans. The first round of annual reviews, to be chaired by Ministers, is intended to take place in February 1993. The format and procedure for the reviews have recently been piloted with the pacemakers and this will be followed up with further guidance on the issues to be covered.