HC Deb 13 May 1982 vol 23 cc319-20W
Mr. Eldon Griffiths

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what bids he has received for additional grant towards the cost of improving houses from St. Edmundsbury borough, Forest Heath and Mid-Suffolk district councils, respectively; and how much he has allotted to each of these authorities as a result of the Government's recent £75 million increase in grant aid for this purpose.

Mr. Stanley

The bids and provisional allocations for additional resources for home improvement grants for these authorities were as follows:

Bid £ Provisional allocation £
St. Edmundsbury 90,000 90,000
Forest Heath 41,000 25,000
Mid-Suffolk 35,000 25,000

Mr. Eldon Griffiths

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the share of grant payable towards the cost of home improvements which is paid by his Department and by local housing authorities, respectively.

Mr. Stanley

The Exchequer meets 90 per cent. of the cost of home improvement grants in priority cases—that is for houses in housing action areas and for houses anywhere which lack standard amenities, are unfit, or are in need of substantial and structural repair. In other cases, the Exchequer meets 75 per cent. of the cost. However, for all repairs grants approved after 13 April 1982 the Exchequer contribution will be 95 per cent., provided that the application for the grant is made before 30 December 1982. In each case the balance of the cost is met by the local authority.