§ LORD HYLTONasked Her Majesty's Government:
To what extent local authorities have used their powers under Section 72 of the Housing Act 1969 to require substantial repairs to houses; whether the use of such powers is adequate in view of the known extent of disrepair; and if not what action is proposed to remedy the situation, and in particular whether 348WA the section should be made mandatory, instead of discretionary, at least in areas of widespread disrepair.
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE, DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT (LORD SANDFORD)About 2,500 notices have been served by local authorities under this section. Local authorities have generally welcomed this power to enforce repairs before a house deteriorates into unfitness and there is no evidence that they are reluctant to use it in appropriate cases or that they find it inadequate. Many houses are also put into good repair, without recourse to notices when grant-aided improvements are carried out. Nearly 199,000 grants were approved last year compared with 157,000 the year before and the rate of progress is still increasing.
House adjourned at seventeen minutes past ten o'clock.