§ 41. Mr. Holtasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government which county boroughs in Lancashire have so far not used the powers given to them to make grants to persons for the improvement of housing accommodation.
§ Mr. H. BrookeTwo out of seventeen —Burnley and Wigan.
§ Mr. HoltIs the Minister aware that in my constituency the local authority is running a very interesting exhibition called "New homes for old," which shows the great advantage to be obtained from these grants? Will he state what steps he is taking to encourage local authorities to make use of such grants in cases where they are not made available?
§ Mr. BrookeI am glad to hear about the exhibition in Bolton. The power to make these grants is permissive. The value of making them has repeatedly been urged upon local authorities and my hope is that eventually I shall prevail on all authorities to co-operate in areas where there are houses fit for improvement or conversion.
§ 42. Mr. Holtasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what progress has been made in the improvement of housing accommodation in the last year for which figures are available, by means of improvement grant facilities under Section 20 of the Housing Act, 1949, as amended by the Housing Repairs and Rents Act, 1954.
§ Mr. H. BrookeThe number of dwellings approved for grant by local authorities in 1956 was 31,997.
§ Mr. HoltCan the Minister say whether he is satisfied with that, in view of the large number of houses of good, sound, basic construction which still have not baths or proper kitchen accommodation? Does not the Minister feel that some pressure or influence from his Department is required in the case of some laggard authorities?
§ Mr. BrookeI replied a few moments ago about local authorities. What is encouraging is that whereas in the first five years after the 1949 Act local authorities approved only 9,838 dwellings for grant, since the 1954 Act was passed no fewer than 73,881 dwellings have been approved for grant.