HC Deb 01 May 1973 vol 855 cc273-5W
Mr. Freeson

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total cost of standard and discretionary grants paid to owner-occupiers and other private owners, respectively, in the financial year 1972–73 under Part I of the Housing Act 1969.

Mr. Eyre

Figures are available only to the end of February and do not distinguish between tenures. Grants paid to all private owners in England and Wales in the 12 months ending 28th February 1973 were as follows:—

£ million
Discretionary grants … 63.6
Standard and Special … 9.3
Total … 72.9

Mr. Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many house improvement grants were approved both to local authorities and to private owners in each local government administrative area, for which figures are available, in the Macclesfield parliamentary constituency in the years 1971 and 1972.

Mr. Eyre

The figures are as follows:

months ending not before 31st July 1973, and (b) their mortgage lending rate for the majority of annuity mortgagors is not more than 9.5 per cent. gross for the relevant three-month grant period. If a building society satisfies these criteria, grant is payable in respect of any individual mortgagor—or co-ownership society—who, under the society's normal procedural rules, and arising out of an investment rate of 6.75 per cent. net, would normally be required to pay between 10 per cent. and 10.25 per cent. gross—or the equivalent rate if he is an option mortgagor—but instead is required to pay not less than 0.5 per cent. below the rate which he would otherwise have been required to pay, or the equivalent rate if he is an option mortgagor. The grant is payable for any type of mortgage—including endowment mortgages— for a period of three months from the date on which the grant-aided mortgage lending rate becomes due under the mortgagor's contract provided that the period does not start before 5 th April 1973 or after 1st September 1973. The grant will be calculated at 0.5 per cent., on the outstanding mortgage balance of a qualifying mortgagor.

Grant will not be payable for new mortgages in excess of £13,000 or for existing mortgages where the outstanding mortgage balance is in excess of £13,000; for new mortgages for second homes; for existing or new further advances on the same dwellings except for extension or improvement; and for mortgages for dwellings wholly let, under construction for sale, or for business or other properties including some residentiial accommodation.