§ Mr. Canavanasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the estimated total amount of housing subsidy given to (a) the public sector, (b) owner-occupiers and (c) private landlords for home improvement grants in England and Wales for the financial year 1974–75.
§ Mr. ArmstrongExchequer contributions paid in 1974–5 towards loan charges on expenditure by local authorities and new towns in England and Wales on house improvement amounted to £38.3 million at 1975 Public Expenditure Survey prices. In addition, further amounts, which it is not possible to identify separately, would have been paid to local authorities in respect of these loan charges, through rising costs subsidy.
465WExchequer contributions paid in 197475 from local authorities' expenditure on grants for improvement and conversion of accommodation by towards loan charges arising private per sons, and by housing associations for letting, amounted to £62.5 million and £4.9 million respectively at 1975 Public Expenditure Survey prices.
It is not possible to subdivide the amount attributable to private persons between owner-occupiers and private landlords.
§ Mr. Peter Walkerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he intends to take in order to increase the volume of improvement grants from 186,800 approved during the last 12 months to 453,496 approved in 1973.
§ Mr. FreesonThe Government will continue to ensure that renovation grants go to those in greatest need rather than be approved on the indiscriminate basis applicable prior to the introduction of the Housing Act 1974.