§ LORD CLIFFORD OF CHUDLEIGHMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government when legislation to authorise the housing improvement grant foreshadowed in the gracious Speech will be introduced.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT (LORD KENNET)My Lords, a Bill to give effect to the proposals in the White Paper, Old Houses into New Homes, will be introduced as soon as possible.
§ LORD CLIFFORD OF CHUDLEIGHMy Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for that Answer, may I ask him whether he realises that the delay since the announcement in the gracious Speech has held up planned improvements; and can he not speed up house improvement by announcing that the grant, whatever it is, will be back-dated, say to the present month?
§ LORD KENNETMy Lords, I will certainly examine that possibility; but my right honourable friend thinks it would be better to bring all the changes proposed in the White Paper into effect at the same time, in a single package under a Bill.