§ Mr. Michael McNair-Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much financial assistance is being provided for urban renewal in Belfast and Londonderry for the current financial year; and how much was provided in 1968, 1969, 1970 and 1971.
§ Mr. ChannonThere are at present no general powers for undertaking urban renewal in Northern Ireland. Redevelopment in urban areas is carried out under the Housing Acts. Assistance to housing 99W authorities in Belfast and Londonderry for this purpose is as follows:
(1) Preliminary Redevelopment Expenditure Belfast 1968–69 78,000 1969–70 90,000 1970–71 121,000 1971–72 147,000 1972–73 (estimate) 220,000 Londonderry 1968–69 25,000 1969–70 36,000 1970–71 64,000 1971–72 98,000 1972–73 (estimate) 110,000 This expenditure covers the cost of resettlement grants, and annual grants, payable over a 60-year period, to meet the costs of land acquisition and of clearing and preparing sites.
(2) Subsidy on Houses Built
An annual subsidy over a period of 60 years is paid on houses built in redevelopment areas. The amounts for Belfast and Londonderry are as follows:
Belfast 1968–69 42,000 1969–70 94,000 1970–71 117,000 1971–72 187,000 1972–73 (estimate) 195,000 Londonderry 1968–69 44,000 1969–70 45,000 1970–71 51,000 1971–72 56,000 1972–73 (estimate) 58,000