HC Deb 13 June 1996 vol 279 cc405-6
1. Mr. William O'Brien

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to introduce the provisions of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Bill to Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [30922]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Mr. Malcolm Moss)

I propose to make provision, through an Order in Council, for Northern Ireland to move from the present mandatory grants scheme to the broadly discretionary scheme provided for in the Bill.

I also propose to make provision for construction contracts along the lines of part II of the Bill by means of an Order in Council under the negative resolution procedure, while the Bill already provides for the provisions of part III on the registration of architects to extend to Northern Ireland.

Mr. O'Brien

I thank the Minister for that reply and his encouraging response to extend the provisions of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Bill to Northern Ireland. However, he missed one item. We are advised by Ministers in Committee about the involvement of local government in the administration of a great number of those initiatives. Will the Minister take action to involve local government in Northern Ireland with some of the administration of the Bill, as that would encourage local people to be closer to the people and decision making?

Mr. Moss

There is already machinery for negotiation and discussion with local authorities on many aspects of Northern Ireland legislation. The hon. Gentleman might be referring to an item in the Bill on home energy. That will become the responsibility of the Department of Economic Development, which will take charge of the Northern Ireland energy efficiency scheme. However, there will be close liaison with local authorities on that and other matters.

Mr. A. Cecil Walker

Is there any point in introducing further grant legislation when there are inordinate delays in processing those grants?

Mr. Moss

I accept the hon. Gentleman's point that we are experiencing some delay at the moment, but we are taking steps on repair grants to make sure that there are no delays in future. I would point out that we have steadily increased spending on private sector housing grants in Northern Ireland from £32 million in 1993–94 to £47 million in the coming financial year.