§ 35. Mr. Evelyn Kingasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how 387W many local councils are refusing to pay improvement grants; if he will specify the requirements by which they have to state to each applicant in writing their reasons for doing so; and if he will inquire into the extent to which this is done.
§ Mr. EyreOn the first part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 20th December last to my hon. Friend the Member for Northants., South (Mr. Arthur Jones). I have no evidence that local authorities are failing to comply with the statutory requirement to state to an applicant their reasons in writing if they refuse a grant or fix an amount less than the maximum authorised by the Act and accordingly there are at present no grounds for an inquiry.—[Vol. 848, c.398.]
§ Mr. Geoffrey Finsbergasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the provisions under which the revised scheme and conditions for discretionary improvement grants are operated by the London Borough of Camden.
§ Mr. EyreThe provisions for the payment by local authorities of improvement grants are in Sections 2 to 6 of the Housing Act 1969.