§ 4 and 5. Mr. Kirkasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs (1) whether he will give a list of those local authorities who have applied for industrial subsidy under Section 3 (3) (d) of the Housing Subsidies Act, 1956, showing which applications have been granted, and the length of time elapsing between application and authorisation in each case; and
(2) when he will be able to answer the application of the Strood Rural District Council, dated 4th July, 1957, for an industrial subsidy under Section 3 of the Housing Subsidies Act, 1956, in respect of the erection of 300 houses for accommodating persons coming into the area to meet the urgent needs of the new oil refinery at the Isle of Grain.
§ Mr. H. BrookeI am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT the names of the local authorities which have had applications approved or rejected, and of those whose applications are still under consideration. I could not without a great deal of work say how long each case has taken, but the period between application and approval has usually been short. Applications which raise general issues of policy are bound to take longer. Strood Rural District Council's application was one such case, but I have now informed the council of my agreement to its providing some houses with the aid of this special subsidy.
§ Mr. KirkWhilst thanking my right hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask if it is not true that he has approved only half the number for which the council asked? In view of the great shortage of houses in this very remote rural area, could he not look at the matter again?
§ Mr. BrookeThe exact number will have to be settled in discussion with the council. I hope my hon. Friend approves of my action in having reached a decision on a grant which had been too long delayed.
§ Following are the names:
| APPLICATIONS FOR SUBSIDY UNDER SECTION 3 (3) (d) OF HOUSING SUBSIDIES ACT, 1956 | ||
| Approved | Rejected | Still under consideration |
| Abercarn U.D.C. | Amlwch U.D.C. | Billingham U.D.C. |
| Basford R.D.C. | Bebington B. | Bridgend U.D.C. |
| Bedford B. | Bedford B. | Dorking and Horley U.D.C. |
| Bedlingtonshire U.D.C. | Beverley B. | East Kesteven R.D.C. |
| Billingham U.D.C. | Brynmawr U.D.C. | Ellesmere Port B. |
| Bingham R.D.C. | Camborne and Redruth U.D.C. | Eston U.D.C. |
| Blackwell R.D.C. | Chard B. | Guisborough U.D.C. |
| Cannock U.D.C. | Chelmsford B. | Hereford B. |
| Castle Donnington R.D.C. | Chippenham R.D.C. | Milford Haven U.D.C. |
| Connah's Quay U.D.C. | Coalville U.D.C. | New Forest R.D.C. |
| Coventry C.B. | Crook and Willington U.D.C. | Newport C.B.C. |
| East Retford R.D.C. | Dunstable B. | Penybont R.D.C. |
| Ennerdale R.D.C. | Eastleigh B. | Port Talbot B. |
| Erith B. | Exmouth U.D.C. | Strood R.D.C. |
| Fylde R.D.C. | Fareham U.D.C. | |
| Glynoorrwg U.D.C. | Gateshead C.B. | TOTAL: 14 |
| Golborne U.D.C. | Grimsby R.D.C. | |
| Kirkby-in-Ashfield U.D.C. | Haslingden B. | |
| Llanelly R.D.C. | Hindley U.D.C. | |
| Maesteg U.D.C. | Ketton R.D.C. | |
| Maldon R.D.C. | Llangefni U.D.C. | |
| Mansfield Woodhouse U.D.C. | Llanidloes B. | |
| Merthyr Tydfil C.B.C. | Luton R.D.C. | |
| Morpeth B. | Mildenhall R.D.C. | |
| Mountain Ash U.D.C. | *Oakengates U.D.C. | |
| Newark-on-Trent B. | Paignton U.D.C. | |
| *Oakengates U.D.C. | *Portishead U.D.C. | |
| Osgoldcross R.D.C. | Royston U.D.C. | |
| *Portishead U.D.C. | *Rugeley U.D.C. | |
| Repton R.D.C. | Runcorn U.D.C. | |
| *Rugeley U.D.C. | *St. Albans R.D.C. | |
| *St. Albans R.D.C. | St. Asaph R.D.C. | |
| St. Helens B. | Scunthorpe B. | |
| *Sedgefield R.D.C. | *Sedgefield R.D.C. | |
| *Stone R.D.C. | Shildon U.D.C. | |
| Tewkesbury B. | Sleaford U.D.C. | |
| Thornbury R.D.C. | Stocksbridge U.D.C. | |
| Thurrock U.D.C. | *Stone R.D.C. | |
| Wakefield C.B. | Swindon B. | |
| Wantage R.D.C. | Tamworth R.D.C. | |
| Wellington R.D.C. | Tynemouth C.B. | |
| Walton and Weybridge U.D.C. | ||
| TOTAL: 41 | Whitehaven B. | |
| TOTAL: 43 | ||
| * Authorities which lave had an application approved and another rejected. |