§ Mr. Beaumont-Darkasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he intends to take with regard to payment of hostel subsidy under section 15(2) of the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act 1958.
§ Mr. GowIt has come to my notice that section 106 of the Housing Act 1974 unintentionally removed the power to make payments of hostel subsidy to local authorities for the benefit of housing associations under section 15(2) of the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act 1958 and that, therefore, since 1 April 1975, such payments have been made on the sole authority of part I of the Estimates and on the confirming Appropriation Acts. We shall take the necessary legislative steps to remedy the position at the earliest opportunity.
Meanwhile I shall take the first opportunity of a Supplementary Estimate to make it clear that payments are continuing to be made on the authority of the Appropriation Act.