HC Deb 16 April 1980 vol 982 cc664-5W
Mr. Peter Robinson

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if he will make a statement concerning the delay in processing certain repair grants in Belfast arising from the effects of the Northern Ireland rent order;

(2) how many certificates of disrepair have been issued under the Northern Ireland rent order in the city of Belfast; and on how many the repairs have been carried out.

Mr. Goodhart

There has been criticism of the failure of landlords to carry out repairs where rents have been increased under the Rent (Northern Ireland) Order 1978. The problems are most acute in Belfast, where, as a result of an industrial dispute, the city council has been prevented from implementing an arrangement with the Northern Ireland Housing Executive to process certificates of disrepair for grant. I understand that the Housing Executive took over the outstanding cases at the beginning of the year and that a special effort is now being made to clear these.

I am informed that by 28 March 1980 Belfast city council had issued 1,985 certificates of disrepair but that no cases have yet been submitted for payment.