§ Mrs. Shirley Williamsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many houses in the Sefton district of Merseyside are estimated to be unfit; how many lack basic amenities; and what is the amount made available to the Sefton district for housing improvement grants in 1982–83.
§ Mr. HeseltineIn its 1981 housing investment programme Sefton reported 828 unfit dwellings of which 576 also lacked basic amenities. A further 6,386, including 5,861 in the private sector, were shown as fit but lacking one or more basic amenities. It is understood that Sefton intends to use about £2 million of its 1982–83 housing allocation for home improvement grants. Following the budget increase in grant rates for intermediate and repair grant applications submitted before 31 December 1982, Sefton received an additional allocation of £750,000 for 1982–83.
144Winterested bodies. I appreciate that there is some concern over the adequacy of public advertisement in rural areas and I am looking into this matter.