§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government (1) 238W whether he is aware that empty tower blocks, awaiting strengthening work according to his regulations, are costing the Newham Council £2,400 per week in lost rents and rates; and, as these amounts will have to be passed on to the local ratepayers, whether he will agree to reimburse the council for these losses;
(2) whether he is aware that strengthening work on six system-built blocks of fiats began in Newham last December and will not be completed until next year, and the loss in rents and rates is expected to be £180,000; and what action he proposes to take to reimburse the Newham Council and ratepayers for their loss of revenue.
§ Mr. Freeson:Details of the scale and scope of the Government grant for appraising and strengthening high blocks of flats were given to local authorities in Circular 29/70. In general grant will be payable on actual losses of rental income from occupied blocks that have to be vacated, but not on estimated losses due to delay in the completion of blocks nor on losses of rates.