§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total housing investment programme allocation for Wolverhampton for 198081; and how this compares with the allocation for each year since 1970 at 1979–80 prices.
§ Mr. StanleyNo allocations for housing investment were made to local authorities in England for years before 1975–76. Allocations for 1975–76 were made for improvements to council housing only. In 1976–77, additional allocations were made for lending for house purchase. For 1977–78 and following years, allocations were extended to comprise all housing capital investment by local authorities. The figures for Wolver-798W hampton are as follows—in 1979 survey prices, the standard basis for making such public expenditure comparisons:
1975–76 (improvement only) 1,5788 1976–77 (improvement and lending) 4,822.0 1977–78 (total housing capital) 21,255.0 1978–791 27,015.5 1979–80 (allocation in November 1978) 20,637.0 1979–80 (revised allocation in August 1979) 16,014.3 1980–81 14,759.0 (1) excludes thermal insulation grants introduced in that year.
§ Mr. Dixonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment, in view of the lateness of the announcement of the housing investment programme allocations and the reduced size, if he will increase the tolerance allowance above the 5 per cent. proposed for those authorities which have consistently used the majority of their previous allocation.
§ Mr. StanleyNo. I refer the hon. Member to the guidance in paragraph 33 of the housing investment programme's allocation letter, a copy of which has been placed in the Library.