Housing Stock (Hansard, 21 November 1983)

15. Mr. Gareth
Wardell asked the Secretary of State for Wales if his Department is undertaking any studies to assess the impact on the quality of Welsh housing stock consequent upon the reduction of the 90 per cent. grant levels for home improvement grants.

§ Mr. Wyn Roberts
The impact of this special measure, which has been understood from the beginning to apply for a limited period only, is already clear from the fact that more than 100,000 applications for renovation grants have been made since it was announced. On the assumption that the majority of these will be approved, I am confident that the effects on the housing stock will be clearly reflected in the results of the next Welsh house condition survey.

§ Mr. Wardell
As the Minister did not say whether he intends to pursue any studies into this matter or into the appalling state of housing stock in Wales, will he tell the House the reason for cutting this rate of improvement grant?

§ Mr. Roberts
From the outset it was made clear that this was a temporary measure. It was subsequently extended. There has never been any doubt in anyone's mind that the measure will come to an end on 31 March next year. I take this opportunity to make clear what we intend by the cut-off at the end of next March. It is a cut-off date for the receipt of applications. Thereafter, payments for these applications will continue at the 90 per cent. rate.

§ Mr. Mark Robinson
Does my hon. Friend welcome the record number of applications for improvement grants that have been and are still being made? Will he urge local authorities to take steps within their own administrations to speed up the processing of grants?

§ Mr. Roberts
I understand that 29,000 grants have so far been approved but not paid. The value of those grants is between £85 million and £90 million, of which about £50 million is likely to be paid before 31 March next year. It is a matter for local authorities to decide the priority that they give to improvement, and repair grants. Special measures have been taken to enable them to deal with the flood of applications this year. For example, we have agreed that if more than 50 per cent. of their allocation is spent on improvement grants this year the amount above 50 per cent. will be met by the Government.

§ Mr. Rowlands
In what world is the hon. Gentleman living? Does he not realise that almost every local authority has had to freeze grant payments, that many householders have been left in chaos and that cowboy builders have come in as a result of the policy? Is he aware that local authorities are being asked to continue accepting applications when everyone knows that there is no money to pay the grants? Will he call a summit meeting of all the authorities that are having difficulties to see whether the problems can be resolved, instead of coming to the House with silly points?

§ Mr. Roberts
I hope that the hon. Gentleman will not perpetuate the confusion in many people's minds. I repeat that the applications should be received by 31 March next year. They can be processed, approved and paid as local authorities find that they have the money to meet the requirements.

§ Sir Anthony Meyer
Does my hon. Friend share my astonishment that on a matter of such importance to Wales, in which Plaid Cymru has expressed a lively interest and indeed put down a question, neither Plaid Cymru Member is present for Welsh Question Time today?

§ Mr. Roberts
I am indeed astonished——

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. That has nothing to do with the question.