HC Deb 14 July 1970 vol 803 cc1348-50
16. Mr. Prentice

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will increase the percentage of Government grant to local authorities for the cost of strengthening tower blocks of the Ronan Point variety.

Mr. Channon

I would refer the right hon. Member to the reply I gave on 7th July to a question by the hon. Member for East Ham, South (Mr. Oram).—[Vol. 803, c. 20.]

Mr. Prentice

Does the hon. Gentleman recall the Report stage of the Housing Bill on 18th June last year, when Conservative hon. Members, including the present Minister of Housing, voted for an Amendment to increase the grant for this work? Will the Government now explain to the local authorities concerned why this pledge has been broken, along with a number of others?

Mr. Channon

This is a decision made by the previous Administration. My hon. Friends, when in Opposition, strongly supported any attempt to raise the level of the grant from 40 per cent. to 50 per cent. But I am satisfied that it is impossible for us to disturb this settlement.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

As one who persistently and consistently criticised the previous Government for their parsimonious attitude on this all-important question, and as one who moved the Amendment to which my right hon. Friend the Member for East Ham, North (Mr. Prentice) referred, may I ask whether we can be assured that as the present Government said that they would be a better Government, they will do something better on this issue than the previous Government did?

Mr. Channon

I have looked at this matter very carefully, in view of the hon. Member's long and persistent interest on behalf of his constituents, and I am very sorry that I have to adhere to the previous decision of 50 per cent. It is a matter of regret to me and, I know, to the hon. Member. But I assure him that I have looked at this matter very carefully.

30. Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will give a list of the councils who have notified his Department that they will claim the 50 per cent. costs towards strengthening high-rise blocks of flats resultant upon the Ronan Point disaster; and whether he will consider the system of compensation so as to enable those councils with the higher costs to receive higher compensation so that all councils are committed to an equal outlay from their local rates.

Mr. Channon

As regards the first part of the Question, so far 16 local authorities have submitted claims for grant and I will, with permission, publish their names in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

As for the second part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given on 7th July to the Question by the hon. Member for East Ham, South (Mr. Oram)—[Vol. 803, c. 20.]

Mr. Lewis

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the previous Minister of Housing and Local Government was very weak in standing up to the Treasury on this question? Is he aware that the London boroughs and authorities throughout the country affected in this way are strongly against the policy pursued by the former Labour Government and the present Conservative Government on this issue? Will the hon. Gentleman urge his right hon. Friend to stand up to the Treasury to ensure that these people are fairly and properly treated because it will be the poor who will once again suffer unless something is done about this problem?

Mr. Channon

I have explained that this was a decision of the Labour Government I am sorry to have to disappoint the hon. Gentleman on this matter.

Mr. Lewis

On a point of order. In view of the unsatisfatcory nature of the Minister's Answer, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.

Following are the names: Blackburn C.B., Brent L.B., Chertsey U.D., Coventry C.B., Crosby B, Croydon L.B., Hounslow LB., Lowestoft B., Nottingham C.B., Rochdale C.B., Rochester B., Slough B., Sunderland C.B., Sutton Coldfield B., Wandsworth L.B., Brentwood U.D.