HL Deb 20 February 1996 vol 569 cc70-1WA
Lord Finsberg

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What financial support will he available towards local housing authorities' expenditure on private sector housing renewal following enactment of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Bill.

Earl Ferrers

Clauses 91 and 134 of the Bill authorise the Secretary of State for the Environment, to make contributions to local housing authorities towards expenditure incurred by them under Part I and clause 127 of the Bill.

Resources will continue to he distributed to local housing authorities in England as par: of then annual Housing Investment Programme allocation. However, from I April 1997 the allocations for private sector renewal and disabled facilities grants will he made as two separate allocations.

Disabled facilities grants will continue to he supported through "specified capital grant" to reimburse 60 per cent. actual eligible expenditure. A guideline allocation will be notified to local authorities and a supplementary credit approval up to the guideline allocation will also he provided.

All other expenditure under these provisions will he supported by a specific capital grant to reimburse 60 per cent. of expenditure up to a cash limit notified to each authority.

The exchequer support for eligible expenditure incurred up to 31 March 1997 will he paid under the present arrangements.