HC Deb 23 April 1975 vol 890 cc309-10W
Mr. Rathbone

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to improve grants to local authorities for the improvement of substandard housing in view of the present housing shortage.

Mr. Freeson

My right hon. Friend has invited representatives from the Assoication of Metropolitan Authorities, the Association of District Councils, the London Boroughs Association and the Greater London Council to discuss this and related issues with the object of ensuring, within the public expenditure constraints announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his Budget Statement, how the best possible use can be made of the resources available to further the Government's housing objectives, including future programmes of social ownership, rehabilitation and conversion of older houses.