§ 16. Mr. Ridleyasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government by what time he hopes to bring into effect the new increased limit of £1,000 for the discretionary grant for house improvements.
§ 40. Mr. John Fraserasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will now make known his proposals for dealing with houses in multiple occupation.
§ Mr. GreenwoodLegislation aimed at giving greater encouragement to the improvement of older houses was promised in the Queen's Speech. I shall in due course be bringing before the House a Bill based on the White Paper, Old Houses into New Homes, which will contain proposals both for raising discretionary grant limits for house improvements and for strengthening the powers concerning houses in multiple occupation.
§ Mr. RidleyCan the Minister tell the House when it is proposed that the new grant will be operative? By announcing his intentions long before it becomes operative, the right hon. Gentleman has created a situation where very few house improvements are going ahead due to everybody waiting for the increased grant?
§ Mr. GreenwoodThe hon. Gentleman must wait for the Bill before we know when the date will be. Grants under existing conditions are still available and the number of grants approved this year has been satisfactorily high.