HC Deb 18 July 1963 vol 681 cc713-4
18. Dr. King

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he will introduce legislation to prevent improvement grants from being given for the improvement of weekend cottages.

Mr. Corfield

No, Sir. The test for grant should be whether the dwelling needs and is worth improving, regardless who happens to own or occupy it at any particular time.

Dr. King

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that in his own Minister's White Paper the Government's principle is declared to be that subsidies should not be given to people who do not need them; and that the vast majority of the English people think it monstrous that ratepayers' and taxpayers' money should be used to subsidise the provision of weekend cottages which make no contribution at all to the solution of the housing problem?

Mr. Corfield

The hon. Member must appreciate that the object of this exercise is to preserve the houses. I am advised that in this matter it would be quite impossible to make a practical distinction of this kind. After all, many houses are improved by people who have only one house, and are then sold to those who may use them for weekends. Other people who are fully employed are virtually only at their homes at the weekends, and I am advised that it would be quite impossible to frame a statutory distinction.

Mr. Bourne-Arton

Is my hon. Friend aware that ratepayers generally find that this is very good business because of the increase in rateable value? They make money on it.

Mr. Corfield

I am sure that it is not in the interests of any area to allow houses to become slums unnecessarily, whoever owns them.

Mr. M. Stewart

How do the Government square their attitude on this matter with their previous objection on Question No. 9 to what are called "indirect subsidies"?

Mr. Corfield

The hon. Member knows perfectly well that the basis of a grant for improvement is quite different from the basis of a subsidy. The House should bear in mind that even under the Rent Acts it is possible for a controlled tenant to have the controlled tenancy of more than one house.

Dr. King

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the very unsatisfactory reply from the Minister, I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible moment.