HC Deb 11 December 1991 vol 200 cc843-4
3. Mr. Darling

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent representations he has received about the home improvement grants scheme.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

I receive representations from time to time about various aspects of the home improvement grants scheme and its operation; in the main those concern individual cases.

Mr. Darling

Is the Minister aware that there are now thousands of people waiting for home improvement grants, some of whom applied before 1984? Why does the Minister refuse to meet Edinburgh district council and other councils to discuss the crisis? Is not he aware that thousands of people's property will deteriorate unless grants are forthcoming? Why is the Scottish Office so feeble that it is not prepared to go to the Treasury to obtain the funds needed to complete the improvement scheme once and for all?

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

Edinburgh district council estimated the cost of clearing the backlog at £25.5 million and we made that allocation to it over a two-year period. It used the allocation, came back and said that its original estimate was entirely wrong and it required an extra £48 million—the original estimate was £48 million out. By contrast, Glasgow gave accurate estimates. I can give a commitment to the hon. Gentleman that we shall consider Edinburgh's bid with great care before making the final allocations to local authorities. Some £205 million has been made available to Edinburgh for repairs and improvement grants since 1979. That is a considerable sum; Edinburgh has done well.

Sir Hector Monro

Does my hon. Friend agree that the home improvement scheme has been one of the most successful in Scotland? Does he also agree that the increase this year is extremely valuable and that steps should be taken towards improving houses in rural districts, where improvement grants are particularly valuable and welcome?

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

Yes, that is extremely important. The rural housing strategy developed by Scottish Homes will also assist. Since the scheme was introduced, £957 million has been made available through it in Scotland to help bring many empty houses back into use and assist in reducing waiting lists.

Mr. Stephen

While welcoming the changes that the Minister has introduced to the home improvement grants scheme for houses affected by high radon levels, may I ask whether he agrees that in cases of severe hardship there should be access to 100 per cent. grants, as is the case in England and Wales?

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

That would require legislation. However, what we can do immediately and are in the process of doing is to introduce a statutory instrument to increase the grant level to 90 per cent. That will substantially help those who are in the circumstances that the hon. Gentleman mentions. We have also made it clear that free tests will be available to anybody who wishes to have them in the hon. Gentleman's local authority area. We are conscious of the extent of the problem in the hon. Gentleman's constituency.