§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in view of the fact that if a man provides his own home but has to spend more on it because he is ill, or because he needs after-care, he incurs greater expense than if he were fit; and in view of the limited choice of accommodation available to persons confined to wheelchairs which often involves them in substantial extra expense; he will amend the legislation at the earliest opportunity so as to provide for rate relief for alterations carried out to adapt existing accommodation to the needs of the handicapped.
§ Mr. OakesSection 45 of the General Rate Act 1967 gives rate relief in respect of facilities for the disabled and I understand that it has been regarded as covering the kind of alterations indicated in the Question. I am aware of the recent decision by the House of Lords in a case involving that section, but my advisers have not yet had time to study the judgment and its implications. I am not therefore yet in a position to judge whether amending legislation ought to be considered.