§ Mrs. Goldingasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the (a) total cost and (b) average cost of bringing the Cornish unit houses designated under the Housing Defects Act 1984 up to standard.
§ Mr. John PattenComprehensive information on repairs already carried out to Cornish unit houses is not yet available. However, we expect most of the privately owned properties to be repairable under the housing defects legislaion within the expenditure limits of £14,000—for houses with one storey PRC elements—and £16,000—for two-storey PRC elements. Local authorities will need to reach their own view on the renovation work needed to properties in their own stock.
§ Mrs. Goldingasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has as to how many building societies are either refusing to give mortgages or being highly selective in the giving of mortgages on Cornish unit houses designated under the Housing Defects Act 1984 and subsequently repaired; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John PattenI understand that a survey carried out by the Building Societies Association of the 30 largest societies, representing over 90 per cent. of the industry's assets, showed that all, save one, would consider lending on properties designated under the housing defects legislation and repaired by a method approved under the National House Building Council's scheme. The Building Societies Association has itself endorsed that scheme. We look to smaller, local societies to take the same approach.
§ Mrs. Goldingasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many Cornish unit houses have been designated under the Housing Defects Act 1984.
§ Mr. John PattenSome 23,000 Cornish unit houses are designated under the housing defects legislation in England.