§ 43. Mr. Squireasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will review and simplify the system of housing investment programme allocations in view of the greater freedom which local authorities now enjoy to vire capital expenditure and receipts.
§ Mr. StanleyThe methodology for determining HIP allocations is reviewed each year, in consultation with the local authority associations. Much as I sympathise with my hon. Friend's wish to see the allocation methodology further simplified, it is exceedingly difficult to reconcile that aim with the primary objective of providing a system of allocation that adequately takes account of the differing circumstances of 367 housing authorities.