§ 9. Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will so amend the Improvement Grants Regulations as to make it no longer compulsory that all five of the amenities exist before a grant is obtained.
§ Mr. BrookeThe five standard amenities are a bath, a wash-hand basin, a w.c., a hot water supply and a food store. All these are commonly accepted as essential facilities these days. I should therefore be reluctant to consider amending the scheme to allow grant to be paid where any of them is missing.
§ Mr. AllaunYes, but does the Minister not think it unreasonable that because, for example, a house lacks a suitable place for a cupboard, none of the other things—such as a bathroom or hot water system, however badly needed—can be installed even if the landlord is agreeable to it?
§ Mr. BrookeI am sure the hon. Gentleman realises the difficulties. These are grants from public funds and hitherto it has been almost universally accepted that they should not be used for improving a house unless that house will end up with the essential amenities for modern-day life. I would be reluctant to pay Exchequer grants towards improving houses which, in the end, were not going to be really satisfactory.