§ Mr. Arthur Jonesasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he has now begun his consultations with the local authority associations regarding areas to be designated as housing priority areas of special need; and whether he will make a statement on the programme for implementing this aspect of the Local Government Grants (Social Need) Bill.
§ Mr. MacCollConsultations with the local authority associations about the urban programme have taken place and a joint circular (Urban Programme Circular No. 2) about the second phase of the programme up to the end of the financial year 1969–70 was sent to local authorities on 7th February by the Home Office and other Departments concerned. Under this phase expenditure up to a further limit of about £2 million will be approved in areas of special social need.
It is not the intention that projects relating to housing should be included in this comparatively limited phase. The large programme of local authority housebuilding gives priority to areas of greatest housing need and the Government's Housing Bill contains proposals for new or increased grants for the acquisition, improvement and conversion of older houses and for the improvement of the areas in which they are situated. Consideration is being given to the part housing might play in the later phases of the urban programme in 1970–71 and 1971–72.
I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the circular about the second phase of the urban programme.