§ Mr. Adam Butlerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment, if he will authorise supplementary payments under the Housing Act 1969 or ex gratia payments to owner-occupiers affected by the Market Bosworth (Chapel Street, Leicester Road, Ibstock) No. 1 Clearance Order 1973, as a matter of urgency in view of the delays already experienced in this matter.
§ Mr. Kaufman:A payment under Schedule 5 to the Housing Act 1969 can be made only when the qualifying conditions laid down in the statute are met. The Secretary of State has no power to 496W authorise such payments where these requirements are not satisfied. A letter however, has been sent to the North-West Leicestershire District Council stating that, in the circumstances, sympathetic consideration would be given by the Secretary of State to an application for sanction to make extra-statutory payments to owner-occupiers affected by this particular clearance order.