HC Deb 07 February 1974 vol 868 cc407-8W
Mr. Carter-Jones

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what improvements are being made to the housing cost yardstick; if he feels this yardstick is appropriate for schemes involving integrated housing for the disabled; if he is aware of the extra costs involved; and if he will make a statement;

(2) if he is aware that the special ad hoc allowance of £750 per disabled dwelling is inadequate; if his Department has made an estimate of the real additional costs in building integrated housing for the disabled; what representations he has received from charitable organisations on this matter; if he will publish his replies in the OFFICIAL REPORT; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Channon

The yardstick system generally has been made more flexible by the introduction of special allowances to enable public sector housing schemes to proceed at a cost which reflects local market conditions. These arrangements are kept under continuous review.

The Department is prepared to give an ad hoc addition to the yardstick to take account of the extra cost of providing specially designed accommodation for disabled people. Generally there is no evidence that such extra cost cannot be accommodated within a figure of £750— plus the appropriate regional variation—per dwelling, but this figure is not in any sense an absolute limit.

The cost of housing schemes varies according to the type of scheme and local conditions. I am not aware of representations from charitable organisations on the general question of costs for schemes involving integrated housing for disabled people. If the hon. Member would write to me about any particular difficulties I will be glad to look into them.