asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much money has been spent on the environmental improvement Spruce-up Scheme in each year since the scheme began and in the current: year to the latest available date; when expenditure of the scheme was restricted to the cities of Belfast and Londonderry; and what restrictions now apply in those two cities on expenditure or geographical area.

The Spruce-up Scheme began in 1974 and since 1978 has been known as the Environmental Improvement (Spruce-up) Scheme. Grant-aid on projects implemented through the scheme is as follows:

	£000
1974ߝ75	723
1975ߝ76	953
1976ߝ77	818
1977ߝ78	1,086
1978–79	1,166
1979–80 (to 6 December)	725

The scheme was restricted to Belfast and Londonderry with effect from 1 September 1979, but grant-aid will still be paid on projects approved for implementation in other district council areas provided work on them is begun not later than 31 March 1980.Under the revised arrangements grant-aid is payable for approved projects of environmental improvement carried out within the city council areas of Belfast and Londonderry. Within these areas there are no geographical restrictions, but expenditure will be limited by general constraints on public expenditure.