§ Mr. McAddenasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he is now able to make any statement with regard to the review of housing subsidy.
§ Mr. H. MacmillanYes. I have re-reviewed the position and consulted the associations of local authorities and the London County Council. I hope to introduce the necessary legislation at an early date but the House will wish to be aware without delay of the rates of subsidy proposed.
These are as follows:
203WSpecial subsidy for flats on expensive sites in blocks of 4 storeys or more with lifts (S. 4 and Part III of the First Schedule to the Act of 1946 as amended by S. 37 of the Act of 1949). An escalator provision as follows:—
Cost per acre of site as developed Exchequer subsidy Rate subsidy £ s. d. £ s. d. More than £1,500 but not more than £4,000 … 63 6 0 22 17 0 More than £4,000 but not more than £5,000 … 64 19 0 23 8 0 More than £5,000 but not more than £6,000 … 66 0 0 23 15 0 More than £6,000 but not more than £8,000 … 67 10 0 24 5 0 More than £8,000 but not more than £10,000 … 69 9 0 24 18 0 More than £10,000 but not more than £12,000 71 8 0 25 11 0 More than £12,000 … £71 8s. 0d. increased by £1 19s. 0d. for each additional £2,000, or part of £2,000 in the site as developed. £25 11s. 0d. increased by 13s. 0d. for each additional £2,000, or part of £2,000, in the cost per acre of the site as developed. NOTE.—The following housing subsidies continue unchanged in amount:—
— Exchequer subsidy Rate subsidy £ s. d. £ s d. Extra subsidies in areas subject to mining subsidence (S. 6 of the Act of 1946) not exceeding 2 0 0 1 0 0 Extra subsidies for preservation of character of surroundings (S. 39 of the Act of 1949) not exceeding 5 0 0 2 10 0 Grants to persons other than local authorities for the building of new houses for members of the agricultural population (S. 3 of the Act of 1938 as amended by S. 13 of the Act of 1946) 15 0 0 — Grants to local authorities for hostels (S. 40 of the Act of 1949) £5 per bedroom. Grants to local authorities for reconditioning (Ss. 15 and 25 of the Act of 1949) Three-quarters of the estimated loss. One-quarter of the estimated loss. Grants for building experiments At discretion. I propose that the increased rates of subsidy should apply to houses completed after 28th February.