§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government (1) whether, in view of the concern of the Greater London Council and the Association of Municipal Corporations as a result of their discussions with him held on Thursday, 19th March to discuss the 43W inadequacy of the 50 per cent. grant towards the strengthening of tower blocks resultant upon the Ronan Point disaster, he will agree to a further meeting to discuss this problem;
(2) whether he will make a statement on his discussions with the Greater London Council and the Association of Municipal Corporations held on Thursday, 19th March on the question of the 50 per cent. grant towards the costs of strengthening tower blocks resultant upon the Ronan Point disaster.
§ Mr. GreenwoodI do not think a further meeting would be helpful. I still consider that a capital grant equal to 50 per cent. of the total admissible costs falling on local authorities is both fair and reasonable. I have also decided to reserve a very small fraction of the total grant to provide special assistance for one or two smaller authorities which may have an exceptionally heavy financial burden in relation to their resources. I have informed the local authority representatives accordingly. A circular on the terms of grant will be issued shortly.