§ Mr. Arthur Jonesasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what he estimates will be the expenditure under the Housing Bill for improvement and conversion of existing dwellings in the years 1969–70, 1970–71 and 1971–72.
§ Mr. MacCollVery little expenditure on improvements and conversions is likely to be incurred under the Housing Bill during the remainder of 1969–70. Most expenditure in this financial year and much of that falling due in 1970–71 will be the result of the carrying out of works approved under existing legislation.
It is impossible to forecast precisely the rate at which applications for grants is likely to increase, but by 1971–72 expenditure on improvements and conversions under the Bill could be of the order of £25 million.
§ Mr. Arthur Jonesasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government where he proposes that the savings on the housing programme are to be made each year until and including 1972–73 in order to contain, within the present total of public investment, expenditure of £40 million proposed under the Housing Bill for improvement and conversion of existing dwellings.
§ Mr. MacCollMy present assessment is that the broad objective described in paragraph 4 of the Financial Memorandum to the Housing Bill can be secured without further adjustment to the housing programme.