§ 13. Mr. Roy Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the county borough of Newport concerning the future of the home improvement grant scheme; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Gibson-WattThe borough council has sent me a copy of the report of the independent inspector appointed by it to look into the operation of the home improvement grant scheme in its area and of the housing committee's recommendations on the report. The day-to-day handling of improvement grants is a matter for the local authority, to which I am content to leave it.
§ Mr. HughesDoes the Minister appreciate the difficulties which have faced the Newport Corporation in having to work to a limited time scale in the face of such demand? Does he not feel that related to this is the high incidence of poor workmanship which I exposed in the St. Julian area through the columns of the South Wales Argus? Does he further appreciate that the National Federation of Building Trades Employers should be trying to expose this situation and not to hide it?
§ Mr. Gibson-WattThe hon. Gentleman has also exposed his feelings in two letters to the Welsh Office. I will only say that the inspector's report deals with this matter. I would like to congratulate the Newport Borough Council on the inspired way in which it has tried to carry out this scheme, even though it has had some difficulties.
§ Mr. KinnockDoes not the Minister agree that in general the limits imposed on improvement grants are still unrealistic and that it is time to raise the maximum of £2,000? Is it not also necessary to extend the time during which this facility is available from the Government?
§ Mr. Gibson-WattI have no statement to make on that subject today.