Mr. Fletcherasked the Secretary of State for the Environment in view of the number of accidents caused by electrical faults, particularly to old people who live in houses where the electrical wiring is over 40 years old, what action he proposes to take on the recommendation of the Home Safety Committee that grants should be made available for electrical rewiring.
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§ Mr. EyreNone. Improvement grants are given for the provision of basic amenities and for the improvement of older houses to a good standard, but are not available for repairs and replacements on their own. But essential works of this nature, such as electrical rewiring, can qualify for discretionary grant whenever a house is being modernised. Local authorities also have power to make loans, including maturity loans, available to private owners for the repair and maintenance of any dwelling; and local authorities, and the Supplementary Benefits Commission have further limited powers of discretion which can be used according to the circumstances of the individual case.