Mr. Trew asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local authorities in England and Wales are means-testing applications for house improvement grants; and what advice he has given to local authorities on this practice.
§ Mr. AmeryThis information is not available, but experience suggests that most local authorities decide grant applications without inquiring into the means of applicants. It has not, therefore, been204W necessary to give any general advice on this point.
§ Mr. Trewasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local authorities in England and Wales are making house improvement grants subject to a restriction on selling the dwelling concerned; and what advice he has given to local authorities on this practice.
§ Mr. AmeryThis information is not available. Local authorities generally are well aware that the Housing Act, 1969, does not give them power to impose restrictions of this kind. No general advice has been given.
§ Mr. Trewasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what advice he has given to Dartford Rural District Council on the subject of house improvement grants.
§ Mr. EyreLast March the council asked my right hon. Friend to introduce a system of means-testing for grant applicants. The official reply said that the Government aimed to secure the improvement of as many as possible of the country's older houses and would be firmly against the introduction of a means test for applicants.