§ Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the Northern Ireland Housing Executive will be allowed to exceed the cost yardstick in the improvement of the remaining prewar rural cottages.
§ Mr. GoodhartI understand that there is no cost yardstick for the improvement of the Housing Executive's rural cottages. The amount of work undertaken varies and depends upon a number of factors, including the age and condition of cottages.
There are, however, cost yardsticks to keep the cost of providing water supply and sewerage schemes to service housing improvements within reasonable limits. The current cost limits per property are
All households Those containing disabled children* Health and Social Services Board No. Rate per 1,000 pop No. Rate per 1,000 pop under 16 Eastern … … … 2,766 4.26 71 0.4 Northern … … … 2,304 6.24 82 0.72 Southern … … … 689 2.63 39 0.47 Western … … … 355 1.47 12 0.15 Total 6,114 204 * These figures relate only to households known to contain disabled children. The information relates only to personal aids supplied through the social services departments of health and social services boards. Information about aids provided by boards through the hospital and community nursing services is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Figures for 1979 are not yet available.