To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consideration he has given to the value of the common purpose programme which his Department funds; and if he will make a statement.

My Department, together with other Departments in the action for cities initiative, has contributed funding to common purpose since its launch in 1989. Since then, common purpose has successfully established programmes in 15 cities: five more are due to become operational by early 1992. Five hundred and fifty people have been or are participating in common purpose programmes. My officials are in the process of commissioning an evaluation of common purpose.