Housing " Improvement for Sale Scheme "

HC Deb 06 May 1980 vol 984 cc53-4W

Mr. Wigley

asked the Secretary of State for Wales from what date he anticipates that the " Improvement for Sale Scheme " will be available to local authorities in Wales; and how much money he has earmarked for the current financial year for the implementation of the scheme.

Mr. Wyn Roberts

We can give no date yet, but we expect authorities to be able to start the scheme during this financial year. We have not earmarked money in the current financial year for the scheme: it is for each authority to decide what amount of its HIP allocation to spend on the scheme. An Exchequer contribution will be available as announced on 15 April in Standing Committee F on the Housing Bill.

Mr. Wigley

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what additional capital funds he proposes making available to local authorities to take advantage of the new " Improvement for Sale Scheme "; and whether he will indicate to them that any capital tied up in this scheme, together with the interest paid on such capital, can be considered over and above the cash limit implications which otherwise constrain local government finance.

Mr. Wyn Roberts

No additional funds will be made available to local authorities. Councils' capital expenditure on improvement for sale schemes will be found from their HIP allocation.

year from 1974 to the latest available date.

Mr. Wyn Roberts

The information is as follows:

Authorities will be able to augment their allocations by the use of receipts from sales. Full details of the working of the scheme will be circulated to local authorities in due course.

Mr. Wigley

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether, under his proposed " Improvement for Sale Scheme ", the net costs, on which the grants to local authorities will be computed, can include legal, administrative and interest costs associated with the purchase and the sale of the property being renovated.

Mr. Wyn Roberts

Details of the working of the improvement for sale scheme will be circulated to local authorities in due course. It will cover the points raised by the hon. Member.