HC Deb 14 January 1975 vol 884 cc92-3W
Mr. Wm. Ross

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many dwellings belonging to the Housing Executive in Northern Ireland do not have a supply of electricity; and what would be the estimated average cost of bringing electricity to each house.

Mr. Concannon

The recently published housing condition survey indicated that in October 1973 approximately 1,070 Housing Executive dwellings lacked electricity. It is not possible to estimate the average cost of bringing electricity to these houses.

Mr. Wm. Ross

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) in how many areas of Northern Ireland the Housing Executive requires the tenants of its houses to pay the cost of bringing electricity to their homes;

(2) if he will ask the Housing Executive to change its policy regarding payment for bringing electricity to its houses.

Mr. Concannon

From 17th December 1974 the Housing Executive has borne the cost of all new work begun on installing electricity in its dwellings.

Before that, the executive continued the different arrangements made by the various former housing authorities.

Mr. Wm. Ross

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how the cost of bringing electricity to new houses built by the Housing Executive in Northern Ireland is met.

Mr. Concannon

The cost of providing electricity is paid for by the Housing Executive as part of the overall cost of building new houses.

Mr. Wm. Ross

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he has any plans to make available grants towards the cost of bringing electricity to and wiring rural dwellings other than farmhouses in Northern Ireland.

Mr. Concannon

The installation of electric lighting or a power supply in a dwelling for the first time may attract discretionary improvement grant under Part I of the Housing Act (Northern Ireland) 1971.

Mr. Wm. Ross

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether tenants who pay the cost of bringing electricity to dwellings belonging to the Northern Ireland Housing Executive will be recompensed if they leave that house; and if so who will repay them.

Mr. Concannon

No.

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