HC Deb 20 February 1985 vol 73 cc486-7W
Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to indemnify local councils like the borough of Southend-on-Sea from any actions stemming from failure to implement their legal obligations on the purchase of unsound and defective homes where the use of the necessary funds is prevented solely by his refusal to permit the use of more than 20 per cent. of the authority's capital receipts; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Gow

In setting local authorities' housing investment programme allocations for 1985–86 my right hon. Friend took account of the need for expenditure on defective prefabricated reinforced concrete houses. It is for individual authorities to decide their own spending priorities in the light of their likely statutory obligations, within the total resources available to them.