HC Deb 04 July 1973 vol 859 cc114-5W
Miss Holt

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek powers to permit his Department to exercise supervision over the expenditure of taxpayers' money by local authorities in carrying out modernisation of council houses.

Mr. Channon

Under already existing powers it is a condition, when a Government contribution in respect of improvements to council dwellings is claimed, that the records and dwellings concerned shall be open to inspection, if required, by an officer of the Department. This power is, however, held in reserve. Local authorities are responsible bodies which can be relied upon to ensure that improvement works are properly carried out and must, in fact, certify to that effect in making a claim for a Government contribution. I would accordingly be reluctant to intervene further unless there are wholly exceptional features in any particular case.

Mr. Greville Janner

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment by what percentage starts in the building of council houses have changed between the year ended 31st May 1973 and the previous 12 months.

Mr. Channon

Local authority dwellings started in Great Britain during the year ended 31st May 1973 were 13 per cent. fewer than in the previous 12 months.