§ 30. Mr. Farrasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the increase in home improvement grants announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his Budget speech as being effective for 1982 is subject to a means test.
§ Mr. StanleyThe increases in the intermediate and repairs grants announced by my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 9 March are not subject to statutory means testing though in the latter case the local authority has discretion whether, and at what rate, to make the grant. There is no change in arrangements for other improvement grants for which local 135W authorities continue to have discretion—other than in an application relating to a non-priority dwelling in a general improvement area—to increase the rate of grant by 15 per cent. in cases of hardship.