30. Mrs. Butlerasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs how many local authorities have received increased subsidies for housing to meet special 975 needs under the provisions of Section 6 of the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1958, to the latest convenient date.
§ Mr. BrookeForty-seven.
Mrs. ButlerIn view of the acute housing needs of many old people and the high rents which local authorities have to charge them because of high interest rates, and the small housing subsidy for elderly people, would the Minister consider the possibility of making a special subsidy available through this Section for housing elderly people in areas where the need is most acute?
§ Mr. BrookeI am not sure whether the existing law would give me power to do that, but I am always ready to consider applications for the special subsidy available under the 1958 Act.
§ Mr. M. StewartThe Minister mentioned forty-seven authorities. Could he say in respect of how many dwellings subsidies have been granted?
§ Mr. BrookeOver 5,000.
§ 34. Mr. Wingfield Digbyasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs how many local authorities have applied for additional subsidies under Section 6 of the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act. 1958; how many such applications were successful; and how many were from authorities in Dorset.
§ Mr. H. BrookeThe answers to the three parts of the Question are, 92; 47; none.