HC Deb 08 May 1951 vol 487 cc1729-30
2. Mr. Derek Walker-Smith

asked the Minister of Local Government and Planning whether he is aware that the terms of paragraph 3 (III) of the Practice Notes issued to local housing authorities under Circular 4/51 are giving rise to misunderstanding; and if he will make it clear that houses let to employees, as distinct from houses used for service occupancy without rent, are eligible in appropriate cases for an improvement grant under the Housing Act, 1949.

Mr. Dalton

I do not think that any misunderstanding should arise. The hon. Member's statement of the case in the last part of his Question is quite correct.

9. Mr. York

asked the Minister for Local Government and Planning how many applications for improvement of housing accommodation under the Housing Act, 1949, have been approved by him for the West Riding of Yorkshire during 1950.

Mr. Dalton

Eighteen.

Mr. York

In view of the very small number that the right hon. Gentleman has announced, could he say whether that small number is due to the difficulties of local authorities in having to find the money out of their allocations for repairs, and whether, if a local authority refuses an application under this Act, there is any appeal?

Mr. Dalton

This is primarily a matter for the local authority, and I do not think it is for me to interfere. I am quite prepared to grant applications that come to me, but in fact these particular local authorities have approved only 18 applications. The grant, of course, is three-quarters of the loss likely to be incurred under Section 15 of the Act.

Mr. York

That does not answer my Question. Could the right hon. Gentleman say whether this allocation comes out of the total allocation allowed to councils for repairs?

Mr. Dalton

Yes. We have a local ceiling on that, of course.