§ Mr. Lathamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the specific factors preventing an early decision on the future of the grant-in-aid to the National Building Agency, which the Under-Secretary of State for the Environment, the hon. Member for Hampstead (Mr. Finsberg), indicated in his reply to the hon. Member for Melton on 19 May 1980 could he expected fairly soon; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. StanleyIn 1980–81 the National Building Agency was paid grant-in-aid of £564,000 in addition to its expected income from fees of over £2.5 million. My right hon. Friend has decided to make a grant-in-aid payment for 1981–82 of £386,000. In addition, the NBA is being commissioned by the Department to undertake over £150,000 of fee paid work in 1981–82; and the Housing 47W Corporation has included in its administrative budget for 1981–82 £120,000 for projects it proposes to put to the NBA. Without prejudice to future decisions on the Government's financial contribution to the agency, the arrangements for 1981–82 represent a move towards substituting appropriate contracts for work hitherto included in a programme funded by grant-in-aid.