§ Mr. Quentin DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what changes he proposes to make to the house renovation grant system following his recent consultation exercise.
§ Sir George YoungAfter considering the response to the consultation paper on the future of private housing renewal programmes, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales and I have today laid before the House Renovation Grant Limit Order, under which the upper limit for mandatory renovation grants to owners, tenants and landlords in England will be £20,000. The order will come into force on 14 January 1944. I propose no change, for the moment, to the Exchequer subsidy rate in England of 60 per cent. or to the test of applicants' resources.
The consultation paper included longer-term options which I am considering further. The Government's objective is to ensure that the resources available for private housing renewal are targeted effectively.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales is making an announcement today covering arrangements for Wales.