§ Mr. Kelleyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will authorise local authorities to make increases in grants towards the installation of smokeless zone conversions where VAT has meant an increase in the cost, since the approved estimate was made.
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§ Mr. Eldon GriffithsWhere the reasonably necessary cost of works of conversion and adaptation include VAT and the cost of the appliances falls within the present approved cost limits, my right hon. and learned Friend is ready to give approval to the payment of grant by the local authority and to make an Exchequer contribution at the statutory rate. In the case of several types of smokeless appliance, the cost to the landlord or householder has in any case fallen, since purchase tax is no longer applicable.