§ 42. Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he is aware of the difficulties of Newham Council in strengthening tower blocks according to his regulations, as a result of the Ronan Point disaster; and, as the costs are estimated to be more than £900,000, whether he will undertake to make a grant of £450,000 spread over 10 years.
§ Mr. Freeson:My right hon. Friend has not yet received a formal application 255W for grant from Newham. But grant will be at the rate of 49 per cent. of admissible expenditure, as set out in Circular 29/70, and will be in the form of outright capital payments made as the work proceeds. Loan sanction will be available for that part of the expenditure not met by grant.