Improvement Grants

HC Deb 26 April 1972 vol 835 cc277-8W

12. Mr. Edward Lyons

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will take steps to ensure that applications by persons for improvement grants for houses in the newly designated intermediate areas, submitted but not accepted prior to the Budget, shall be eligible for grant at the higher rate of 75 per cent.

Mr. Amery

The higher rate of grant in these areas only applies to applications made on or after 22nd March, 1972. I am advised, however, that there would appear to be no legal objection to local authorities concerned allowing an application made before that date to be withdrawn and resubmitted provided the original application had not been approved.

42. Mr. Milne

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation with a view to making improvement and discretionary grants a priority for people who are seeking to improve their place of residence and for those who have lived in their present accommodation for a length of time.

Mr. Eyre

There is no need to attempt to establish by legislation any priorities between different categories of owners because local authorities are free to make as many grants as they wish.

73. Mr. Stallard

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has for a review of the working of improvement grant schemes in Inner London.

Mr. Eyre

The working of improvement grant schemes in London is kept under constant review.

81. Mr. Golding

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the grants available for house improvements and state what their real value is today compared with what their value was on the date of introduction.

Mr. Eyre

Under the Housing Act, 1969, improvement grants up to a normal maximum of £1,000 per dwelling, standards grants up to a normal maximum of £200 per dwelling and special grants subject to a normal maximum determined by the number of amenities installed. In the development and intermediate areas these amounts have been increased to £1,500 and £300 respectively under the Housing Act, 1971.

The pound in 1969 was worth 82.5 new pence in February, 1972.

88. Mr. Fernyhough

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made of the number of improvement grants which have been made in the 12 months ended 31st March, 1972, in respect of houses which are not the main residence of the applicant.

Mr. Eyre

This information is not asked for on grant applications forms and I am unable to make any estimates.