§ Mr. Charles Irvingasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what further consideration he has given to the proposal in the Housing Bill that grant-aid towards the cost of provision of means of escape from fire in houses in multiple occupation should be limited to a maximum expenditure of £500.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergYes. My right hon. Friend has decided that it would be right to give local authorities greater discretion to grant-aid the provision of means of escape from fire in houses in multiple occupation and we are tabling an amendment to the provisions of the Housing Bill to raise the eligible expense limit for such grants to £5,000. I hope that this change will give an incentive to landlords to carry out works to provide means of escape from fire, and that it will encourage more housing authorities to use their existing statutory powers, where necessary, to ensure that proper means of escape are provided.