§ Mrs. RoeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has for assisting households on low incomes with the costs of replacing lead water supply pipes.
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§ Sir George YoungFurther to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Member for Suffolk, South (Mr. Yeo) to my then hon. Friend the Member for Hyndburn (Mr. Hargreaves) on 19 February 1992,Official Report, column 201, following consultation with interested bodies, my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales and I have today announced the extension of minor works assistance, under the provisions of part VIII of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. Local housing authorities are to be given wider scope in providing discretionary assistance to meet the cost of replacing lead pipes used to supply drinking or cooking water to all resident owner-occupiers or tenants on income-related benefits. The new measures which come into force on 1 September 1992 will enable authorities to respond speedily and effectively with discretionary help while targeting resources on those least able to meet the cost of replacement.