§ Mr. Stratton Millsasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many applications for improvement grants there have been in each month since 8th June 1971; how many have been accepted; and what was the average grant payable over that period.
§ Mr. David HowellDetails of the number of applications for improvement grants submitted to housing authorities are not available. The following table shows the number of grants approved in each month since 8th June 1971.
§ Mr. David HowellThe scheme originally applied to rates payable for the year ending 30th September 1972. It was subsequently extended to 31st March this year. The total amount paid to Belfast city centre traders so far is £710,000, though some claims are still outstanding.
The scheme was an emergency measure, intended to help maintain the general commercial life of the city centre at a time of exceptional difficulty. There were encouraging signs earlier this year 223W of an overall improvement in Belfast city centre trading compared with a year ago.
While there is no reason to believe that the general commercial life of the city is now at risk, any representations which might cause a different view to be taken would be carefully considered. In the meantime the supplementary scheme of employment grants for traders in danger of closure, announced last November, remains available to assist firms which are in particular difficulties.