§ Mr. Michael Shersbyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the average time between purchase approval of units of accommodation for rehabilitation by the Housing Corporation and the approval of tenders for the necessary works; and what steps are being taken to reduce the time interval, with a view to avoiding unnecessary public expenditure on interest charges.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergThe average time between loan and tender approvals for housing association rehabilitation schemes is about 32 weeks. A study is being carried out into the progress of rehabilitation schemes with the object of identifying any stages at which the process can be speeded up.
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§ Mr. Shersbyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many units of accommodation for rehabilitation have been approved to date by the Housing Corporation which have not reached tender stage, how many units it has approved in the past three years; and how many units it expects to approve in the current year.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergThe figures for England are as follows: about 30,000 rehabilitation units have received loan approval from the Housing Corporation but not reached tender stage: during the three financial years 1977–78 to 1979–80 the corporation issued loan approvals in respect of 49,000 rehabilitation units: and during the current year they expect to approve a further 8,000 units.
§ Mr. Shersbyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the accumulated interest charges on the units funded by the Housing Corporation which have yet to receive tender approval (a) for rehabilitation and (b) for new building.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergThis information is not available.