§ Mr. Stephen Rossasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether he will consider restoring to second-tier authorities outright responsibility for 161W council improvement areas and allocate grant aid according through the key sector housing revenue account;
(2) what recommendations he is making to county councils to ensure that they contribute adequately to environmental works in council improvement areas.
§ Mr. FreesonI have at present no plans to amend the existing statutory duties of local authorities in relation to general improvement areas. District and county authorities were advised in circular 14/75 of the necessity for early liaison and consultation in the formulative stages of general improvement areas. I am reviewing the need for further advice, particularly with regard to the provision and financing of roadworks.
§ Mr. Stephen Rossasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in view of increasing costs, he will now increase the maximum grant of £200 per house in council improvement areas by 50 per cent.
§ Mr. FreesonNo. Under the new provisions of the Housing Act 1974, however, my right hon. Friend has power to increase the £200 per dwelling limit in individual general improvement areas where a higher Exchequer contribution for environmental improvements is essential to deal with exceptional problems.