§ 54. Mr. William Edwardsasked the Secretary of State for Wales how much money has been spent by local authorities in Wales during the last five years to assist the improvement of houses used as a second home.
§ Mr. Ifor DaviesThe information is not available. Local authorities are not required to record whether a house improved with grant is used for holiday accommodation.
§ Mr. William Edwardsasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will take steps to ensure that improvement grants are not paid to holidaymakers wishing to purchase cottages in rural areas unless they intend to make the property their permanent home.
§ Mr. Ifor DaviesNo. My right hon. Friend is advised that it would be difficult to make a distinction in law to exclude holiday accommodation—even if this were always desirable. Local authorities can withhold discretionary improvement grants for the improvement of holiday cottages in any particular case where they see fit to do so.