§ 50. Mr. Milneasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy on house improvement grants arising from the report from the Expenditure Committee.
§ Mr. FreesonThe Government believe that some changes in improvement policy are needed to prevent abuse and to ensure that help goes to those in greatest need. The nature of such changes is being considered urgently and in the course of this the Government will take into account the recommendations made by the Expenditure Committee.
§ 94. Mr. Fletcher-Cookeasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he can now say whether he proposes to extend the deadline beyond June 1974 for work qualifying for improvement grant.
§ Mr. FreesonI would refer the hon. and learned Member to the answer I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Newcastle-upon-Tyne, North (Mr. Elliott).
§ Mr. Joseph Deanasked the Secretary of State for the Environment, in view of the delays being experienced in the completion of building contracts due to the imposition of the three-day week, if he will announce a decision on extending the period for which grants of 75 per cent. are payable beyond the deadline decided by his predecessor.
§ Mr. Brayasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has completed his consideration of the question of the payment of 75 per cent. improvement grants, the completion of work for which they would be paid has been prevented either by the local authority deferring approval of grant applications for varying periods or reasons and/or the failure of the contractor to meet the specified completion deadline; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. FreesonI would refer the hon. Members to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Blackley (Mr. Rose) on 18th March.—[Vol. 870. c. 25-6.]
§ Mr. Brayasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will recommend a deadline after which applications for 75 per cent. improvement grants shall not be acceptable by local authorities;
(2) if he will advise local authorities that consideration of 75 per cent. improvement grant applications shall be given priority if there is to be any possibility of these grants being completed before the current deadline.
§ Mr. FreesonThese are matters for the discretion of individual authorities. Advice on the handling of applications in 75 per cent. grant areas in the period up to 23rd June 1974 was given in DOE Circular 117/73 and I see no need for further advice on the subject.
§ Mr. Brayasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the number and value of 75 per cent. improvement grants which have been completed to the latest convenient date; what is his estimate of the number and value of those currently outstanding; and what are the totals which will be completed and/or outstanding at the current terminal date.
§ Mr. KaufmanOn the basis of returns made by local authorities I estimate that up to 31st January 1974 grants to private applicants at the rate of 75 per cent. had been paid in the development and intermediate areas of England and Wales for 170,000 dwellings, at a total value of £110 million. Information is not available on the second and third parts of the Question.