HC Deb 01 May 1956 vol 552 cc184-5
4 and 5. Mrs. Butler

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government (1) what, in each year since 1950, has been the number of dwellings in respect of which he has undertaken to make a contribution towards the losses incurred by local authorities in providing housing accommodation by means of conversion or improvement of existing dwellings or other buildings; and the cost of these contributions;

(2) what, in each year since 1950, has been the number of dwellings in respect of which he has undertaken to make a contribution towards improvement grants made by development corporations and local authorities, respectively; and what has been the cost of these contributions.

Mr. Sandys

Since the Answers contain tables of figures, I will circulate them in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mrs. Butler

Will the Minister indicate whether those local authorities and private applicants would appear from the figures to be making the maximum use of these improvement grants for relieving the acute shortage of housing accommodation that exists at present? Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied with the working of the regulations in both cases, particularly with the Ministry's co-operation in respect of the planning difficulties which are so often experienced in making conversions?

Mr. Sandys

I entirely share the hon. Lady's desire to see the maximum use made of these facilities. She will see from the figures which I am circulating that there has been a steep rise in the number of grants made for this purpose.

The information required is as follows:

1. Exchequer contribution towards losses incurred by local authorities.

Period Dwellings Exchequer payments made
(1) (2) (3)
£
31.7.49–31.3.51 266 Nil
1.4.51–31.3.52 491 1,178
1.4.52–31.3.53 680 5,060
1.4.53–31.3.54 489 9,836
1.4.54–31.3.55 1,123 15,256
1.4.55–31.3.56 1,891 32,929

Note: The figures in column (2) are the number of dwellings for which grant was approved during the period shown in column (1). The figures in column (3) are the Exchequer payments made in that financial year. They include payments in respect of grants approved in earlier financial years.

2. Exchequer contribution towards grants made by local authorities.

Period Dwellings Exchequer payments made
(1) (2) (3)
£
Up to 31.3.51 479 179
1.4.51–31.3.52 932 1,118
1.4.52–31.3.53 1,316 7,562
1.4.53–31.3.54 2,812 20,019
1.4.54–31.3.55 18,163 40,383
1.4.55–31.3.56 35,636 175,045
Improvement grants are not made by development corporations.

Note: In each Table the figures in column (2) are the number of dwellings for which grant was approved during the period shown in column (1). The figures in column (3) are the Exchequer payments made in that financial year. They include payments in respect of grants approved in earlier financial years.