§ Mr. Alfred MorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to announce the outcome of his Department's meeting with Manchester city council and the Greater Manchester police authority in relation to the special financial assistance for Manchester announced by the Minister of State, the right hon. member for Skipton and Ripon (Mr. Curry), on 13 January; and if he will make a statement. [12735]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordMy officials are consulting Manchester city council, Greater Manchester police authority and the London borough of Tower Hamlets on detailed proposals for a special grant, to be made under section 88B of the Local Government Finance Act 1988, to help them cope with the cost of dealing with the immediate aftermath of the terrorist attacks last year on Manchester and docklands. Once these consultations have been completed, we shall be drafting a special grant report for which we intend to seek the approval of the House as soon as possible. Subjected to that approval, advance payments should be made to the authorities in this financial year.