§ 67. Mr. Geoffrey Robinsonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in the light of his 267W Department's 1981 house condition survey, he will restore the cuts in the home improvement grant and launch a public housing construction programme.
§ Sir George YoungThe hon. Gentleman's question is misconceived. Substantial capital resources—similar in cash terms to the sum allocated for 1983–84—are being made available to local authorities for housing investment in 1984–85. It is for them to decide how best to make use of the allocations—and capital receipts—available. I expect investment in the repair and improvement of the housing stock to continue at a historically high level reflecting the £1.3 billion expenditure on grants over the three years 1981–82 to 1983–84.