§ Mr. Stratton Millsasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the current housing improvement grant in Northern Ireland; when it was introduced; how it compares with grants in a similar scheme in (a) England and (b) Scotland; and what consideration has been given to increasing this grant.
§ Mr. David HowellThe current private sector housing improvement grant in Northern Ireland is 50 per cent. of approved cost subject to a maximum of £1,000. The grant was raised to this level under the provisions of the Housing Act (Northern Ireland) 1971 which came into operation on 8th June 1971.
This grant is similar to that provided for in England by the Housing Act 1969 but by virtue of the provisions of the Housing Act 1971, later amended by the Housing (Amendment) Act 1973, grants are payable in development and intermediate areas of England at 75 per cent. of the approved cost subject to a maximum of £1,500 for works completed within a three-year period commencing on 23rd June 1971.
154WIn Scotland, before the passing of the Housing Act 1971, housing improvement grants were payable at 50 per cent. of the approved cost subject to a maximum of £1,200. The 1971 Act increased the grants throughout Scotland to 75 per cent. of the approved cost subject to a maximum of £1,800 for works completed within a three-year period commencing on 23rd June 1971.
The maximum rate of improvement grant in Northern Ireland was substantially increased less than two years ago and is kept under review but there are no immediate plans to increase it.