§ 17. Mr. K. Lewisasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he will take powers to ensure that local authorities which have approved applications for improvement grants do not subsequently withhold payment of such grants.
§ The Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs (Dr. Charles Hill)This is not necessary. A local authority is already bound to pay a grant, where a valid application which complies with the statutory requirements is approved.
§ Mr. LewisIs my right hon. Friend aware that I have a case in my constituency where an officer of the Ketton R.D.C., having approved an application for an improvement grant, has refused to issue the completion certificate for payment? Does he not think that this is a deplorable situation? Will he use 1124 date than 1959? Are not the figures kept up to date?
§ Mr. FreethThe difficulty here is not Government employment but employment in private industry. To get all the figures involves a very large amount of work. I do not think that it is worth suggesting that industry should do it every year. However, the figures will be collated again in January, 1962.
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his good offices with a view to getting payment in this case?
§ Dr. HillIf my hon. Friend has in mind a case in Stamford, the application was not valid because the owner did not at the time possess the requisite interest in the property. In fact he gave inaccurate information to the council by saying that he was the freeholder. The council's approval was conditional on the production of the title deeds before any work was started. In going ahead before doing this the applicant proceeded at his own peril.
§ Mr. LewisIs my right hon. Friend aware that this is the first I have heard of this? As I have received a letter from his Department which did not indicate this to me, perhaps the case is different. I cannot think that his original letter and his reply today are on all fours.
§ Dr. HillIf my hon. Friend will supply me with the details and so remove any danger of misapprehension, I shall be glad to reply to him.