§ Mr. Geraint Howellsasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will raise the improvement grants to household owners in Wales.
§ Mr. John MorrisThe Government have already done so. The limits of eligible expenditure for improvement grants were raised last December, from £2,000 to £3,200 in the normal case and from £2,400 to £3,700 in the case of conversions of buildings of three or more storeys. Under the housing action area and general improvement area provisions of the Housing Act 1974, which also came into force in December, the rate of grant payable in these special areas is increased to 75 per cent.—up to 90 per cent. in hardship cases—and 60 per cent. respectively.