asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what submission he has had from the city of Manchester under the housing investment programme bid procedure; what reply he has sent; what action he is taking; and if he will make a statement.

In October 1979, the city council submitted details of proposed housing investment programmes for the period 1980–81 to 1983–84 comprising a strategy statement, a numerical statement and a request for a capital allocation. The Department's regional officials discussed these proposals with members and officers of the council on 6 November 1979. The papers and the discussion are being taken into account in determining the city's housing investment allocation for 1980–81.