asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on his discussions with the Merseyside chamber of commerce on the need to provide tax incentives and other incentives for the revitalisation of ailing inner city areas.

At the annual luncheon of the Merseyside Chamber of Commerce on 28 March I strongly endorsed the proposed removal of certain planning controls and fiscal burdens in connection with the enterprise zone concept. I made a wide-ranging speech about the Govern- ment's economic policies; that apart, I have not specifically discussed these matters with the chamber.