HC Deb 10 November 1982 vol 31 cc538-40
11. Mr. Cryer

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation to allow post-1919 houses to be subject to improvement grants; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Stanley

Of the four categories of grant, improvement and intermediate grants are already available for any dwelling provided before 2 October 1961. Special grants are already available to any house in multiple occupation, regardless of age. It is only repairs grants that are currently limited to dwellings built before 1919. I am however giving consideration, without any commitment at this stage, to making the cut-off date for repairs grants later than 1919.

Mr. Cryer

Will the Minister bear in mind the position of householders and owner-occupiers in the Stockbridge area of Keighley, who have been blighted by motorway proposals since 1968 and have understandably delayed repairs for many years? In May 1982, when an alternative proposal was accepted, the blight was removed. Those people believe strongly that their properties have been blighted through no fault of their own and that their houses should be subject to grant-aid in some form, thus restoring them to the standard in which they would have been maintained had there been no blight. Will he consider the matter very carefully, because it is a just cause?

Mr. Stanley

I am aware of the correspondence that the hon. Gentleman has had with my hon. Friend about the houses at Stockbridge, and I shall take it into account, with the representations that I have received from other hon. Members about the cut-off date for eligibility for repairs grants.

Mr. Stephen Ross

I welcome the Minister's statement to extend the time limit. Will he consider making those repairs grants obligatory on local authorities, rather than discretionary? People looking for house roofing grants find that many local authorities either do not have the staff to deal with them or are not prepared to make grants available.

Mr. Stanley

As the hon. Gentleman will be aware, there are limited categories of repairs grants which are mandatory, as opposed to being discretionary. One has to decide as a matter of policy how far to circumscribe the freedom of local authorities in allocating money between the various types of grant. So far, the Government have taken the view that concentration should be focused on the provision of basic amenities—baths and inside WCs. Intermediate grants are mandatory, and local authorities are free to exercise their discretion on the remainder. I note what the hon. Gentleman has said.

Mr. Parris

Has my hon. Friend looked at the problem of those who commenced the purchase of Airey houses at high prices, at pre-Barnsley scare prices, but and where completion took place after the Barnsley scare, and who at present will be excluded from the help that he is offering?

Mr. Stanley

The people who completed after the public statement was made about the defects in Airey houses should have had the valuation of their houses adjusted downwards to reflect the statement that was made. We have received representation from hon. Members—and, indeed, from individual owners of Airey houses—about people who bought at the inflated valuations after the date of the public announcement, and we are considering the matter further.

Mr. Torney

Is the Minister aware that 270 council houses, and houses built by the council and since sold to occupiers, in my constituency of Bradford have to be demolished because they are unsafe? What kind of grant will the council give to build the 330 new houses that are going up? What advice has he given the local authority on how to deal with the claims of tenants and owner-occupiers?

Mr. Stanley

If the hon. Gentleman is referring to Airey houses, current owners can invite the local authority to buy back such houses. If that happens, the Government will meet the full cost to the local authority. If the local authority, of its own volition, demolishes dwellings, it is for the local authority to include in its HIP bid to the Department the capital implications of replacing such dwellings. That factor will be taken into account in making individual allocations to individual authorities.

Mr. Beaumont-Dark

My hon. Friend's comments on 1919 houses will be widely welcomed in the Midlands. When will he make a statement? That would be extraordinarily helpful to many householders in the Midlands.

Mr. Stanley

I hope that we can shortly reach conclusions on that. However, as consultation with other Government Departments is involved, I cannot give a date today.