§ Mr. Cyril Smithasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what powers he has taken under Section 105 of the Housing Act 1974 to shift financial resources between the private and public housing sectors; and if he will give details for Merseyside, Greater Manchester West Midlands, West Yorkshire and Strathclyde.
§ Mr. FreesonSection 105 of the Housing Act 1974 does not apply to privately-owned dwellings. It empowers my right hon. Friend to control expenditure to be incurred by housing authorities in converting or improving dwellings in their ownership. That power is being used progressively to direct resources to authorities who need to renovate dwellings which they own, both purpose-built and acquired, still lacking standard amenities. Consequently, the second part of the Question does not arise, but the detailed application of the funds is a matter for the individual housing authorities concerned.