§ 25. Mr. Arthur Jonesasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he proposes to introduce the foreshadowed legislation to amend the improvement grants procedure set out in the Housing Acts, 1961 and 1964.
§ 28. Mr. Costainasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when his Departmental inquiries into the level of standard and discretionary improvement grants will be completed.
§ Mr. MellishMy right hon. Friend cannot yet say when these inquiries will be completed or legislation would be introduced.
§ Mr. JonesI thank the Joint Parliamentary Secretary for that reply. What emphasis are schemes of conversion and improvement given in his Ministry's housing policy? To what extent is he prepared to make further funds available to local authorities for schemes of area improvement?
§ Mr. MellishMy right hon. Friend has in fact given me personal responsibility for encouraging local authorities to do more of this work. That I have been trying to do. As was said earlier today, one problem arises from the lack of knowledge, not only on the part of citizens, but on the part of local authorities. We are trying very hard to get a propaganda drive going to make the facts known to the people.