§ 57. Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many house standard improvement grants for installing bathrooms, hot water and inside water closets have been made in the North West in the last 12 months; how many discretionary grants have been granted; what is the amount of public money spent on each respectively; and if he will ensure that more is spent on the essential improvements mentioned above and less on luxury purposes.
§ Mr. ChannonIn the twelve months ended 31st August, 1971, 9,535 standard grants amounting to £1,309,426 and 3,147 discretionary grants amounting to 59W £1,057,373 were paid to private owners in the North West.
I have no reason to believe that discretionary grants are being used to provide luxuries. As the hon. Member knows, I want to see as many as possible of our older houses improved to good modern standards and I welcome the increasing use of discretionary grants to help achieve this.