HC Deb 09 February 1972 vol 830 cc357-8W
43. Mr. Edward Lyons

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in view of the large stock of old houses requiring improvement in Bradford, he will arrange that the percentage of grant for house improvement available to Bradford is increased to the percentage obtaining in the Skipton Rural District.

Mr. Channon

No. The higher rate of house improvement grants under the Housing Act, 1971, applies only in local government areas wholly or partly within development and intermediate areas.

Mr. Sydney Chapman

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many dwellings received improvement grants in 1971; and how this figure compares with each of the previous five years.

Mr. Channon

In 1971 there were 198,800 approved applications in England and Wales.

From 1966 to 1970 the figures were 107,700, 113,100, 114,200, 108,900 and 156,600 respectively.

I am sure that the whole House will welcome this significant progress in the improvement of our older houses.