HC Deb 23 March 1983 vol 39 cc862-4
24. Mr. Joseph Dean

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has had any further submissions made to him for financial assistance from local authorities, relating to the problems they are now encountering concerning the defects appearing in housing accommodation built by industrialised and semi-industrialised systems.

Mr. Stanley

Since the answer that the hon. Member received from my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for the Environment on 19 May last year, I have received submissions for financial assistance from a number of individual authorities, including the members of the Yorkshire development group, and also from the Association of Metropolitan Authorities.

Mr. Dean

Is the Minister aware that the answers given today on the same subject mean that there will be little or no increased help to local authorities, other than by giving them permission to raise their rates further to carry the burden of these repairs? When will he extend the help that he has given to people who bought Airey houses from local authorities to people who have bought other industrialised system houses from local authorities, and to local authorities that are dealing with industrial houses on their tenants' behalf?

Mr. Stanley

I am surprised that the hon. Gentleman says that no additional assistance is available. He must know that Leeds has taken advantage of our invitation to apply for additional allocations this year. It has received an additional allocation of up to £9 million for capitalised repairs. It has certainly taken advantage of our offer.

I am considering representations by the AMA and the other local authority associations on the HIP allocation method for the next financial year, 1984–85. I want to consider whether any special arrangement should be made in the methodology to deal with the problems of defective housing.