§ 8. Mr. Norwoodasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what reasons led him to decide that the regulations for standard improvement grants should not be extended to cover the renewal of defective or old electrical wiring installations; and why renewals of this kind are eligible for discretionary grants.
§ Mr. MellishBoth standard and discretionary grants are intended to provide amenities lacking in older houses, not to help with maintenance, which is a normal responsibility of ownership. Discretionary grants are more extensive in scope, but they are paid for the renewal of wiring only where it is disturbed by improvement work or in conversions.
§ Mr. NorwoodWould not my hon. Friend agree that the same situation could arise in cases where the standard grant is paid? Bearing in mind the substantial danger that there is in old wiring, could not my hon. Friend reconsider his decision at some future date?
§ Mr. MellishWe have not discounted any idea of giving aid here, but it must be put on record that only a year ago when the previous Government brought in amending legislation to deal with improvement grants, they did not think it necessary to deal with electrical wiring. Frankly, from our inquiries, we do not think it necessary either at this moment of time.
§ Mr. Graham PageWill the hon. Gentleman recognise that there was an Amendment to that from what was then the Government side and that the then Opposition did not support it?
§ Mr. MellishAll I know is that when the party opposite was in power it could have done exactly what it wanted with the majority it then had.
§ Mr. FellIs the hon. Gentleman aware that when we were the Government we could not be expected to be perfect in all things? Surely, after all their talk of the Socialist E1 Dorado, the present Government are capable of thinking particularly of the safety aspect that is involved in the Question. It is very important.
§ Mr. MellishWe have not much to beat compared with what the Tories did as the last Government.