§ Mr. ParryTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the recent visit of the Minister for Housing, Inner Cities and Construction to Liverpool.
§ Sir George Young[holding answer 27 April 1994]: I visited Merseyside on 22 April. I went to Kirkby where I was impressed by the continuing strides being made in regenerating the housing stock; I met some of the partners involved in an exciting project at Westvale to provide new homes in Kirkby. I visited Stockbridge village to see the refurbished estate and discuss with Stockbridge village trust its ideas for the wider economic regeneration of the area. I also had a useful discussion with the Merseyside local authorities' co-ordinating committee about European structural funds matters and agreed the importance of a strong local partnership to take the objective 1 programme forward for the maximum benefit of the people of Merseyside. I also met representatives of the housing corporation to discuss its role in improving housing on Merseyside.