§ 5. Sir A. Meyerasked the Secretary of State for Wales what action he proposes to take in order to put an end to the differential rates of housing improvement grant now available for property inside or outside the Welsh development area.
§ Mr. Peter ThomasThe increased grants for house improvements, which will become available under the Housing Bill introduced on 23rd June, apply only in local government areas wholly or partly within development or intermediate areas. There are no plans to extend these grants to other areas.
§ Sir A. MeyerIs my right hon. and learned Friend aware that this decision further aggravates the anomalies which prevail in Flintshire? Is he further aware that every Government announcement about additional incentives for development and intermediate areas further exaggerates these anomalies? Does he appreciate that I shall go on nagging him until he nags his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to do something about the situation?
§ Mr. Peter ThomasI suggest that my hon. Friend's point on whether or not the area should be a development area is another question. The main aim of this Bill is to mount a sharp attack on poor housing and drab surroundings in our development and intermediate areas by bringing forward work which otherwise might not be done for many years. Its purpose is also to create further employment and to make areas more attractive to incoming industry.