§ 48. Mr. Rostasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local authority dwellings he expects will be insulated by 1st November next, as a result of the scheme announced last December.
§ Mr. ArmstrongFinancial provision has been made for about 200,000 local authority dwellings to be insulated in 1978–9. The timing of the work during the year will depend on individual local authorities.
§ Mr. Spriggsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will indicate the date upon which applications can be made for the £600 interest-free loan for two years and the £50 grant for home insulation; and whether local 572W authorities will operate the above schemes on behalf of the Department, concerned.
§ Mr. FreesonThe Home Purchase Assistance and Housing Corporation Guarantee Bill provides for assistance to first-time home buyers of a bonus of £40-£110 and a loan of £600, interest-free for five years. Prospective purchasers should be able to start saving in the autumn with first benefits paid in 1980 and onwards. All recognised lending institutions—including local authorities—will operate the scheme.
Grants under the Home Insulation Bill should also be available from local authorities in the autumn, but I cannot at this stage give a precise date for the commencement of the first scheme under the Bill.