§ 2.37 p.m.
§ LORD WOLVERTONMy Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they would be prepared to introduce an early amendment to the existing housing legislation, so as to allow local authority housing to benefit from the existing housing grants for the improvement of their earlier properties, especially in rural areas, which in many cases are in urgent need of modernisation, in view of the fact that water and electricity have now arrived in most of them.]
§ THE MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO (THE EARL OF MUNSTER)My Lords, it would not be necessary for Her Majesty's Government to amend existing legislation to achieve the purpose which my noble friend has in mind. It has not, however, been the practice to give improvement grants under the Housing Act, 1949, for work on houses owned by local authorities which were built with the aid of subsidies under the Housing Acts. My right honourable friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government has received representations on this question from the Rural District Councils Association and is considering them now.
§ LORD WOLVERTONMy Lords, may I thank the Minister for his reply? I am glad to hear that this matter is receiving careful consideration. It is a point of considerable importance, especially as it relates to the earlier houses in the rural areas.