§ Mr. Spenceasked the Secretary of State for the Environment on what date he first informed local authorities that the housing investment programme allocation for 1984–85 would be 80 per cent. of the 1983–84 amount; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir George YoungMy hon. Friend the then Minister for Housing and Construction announced on 7 December 1982, in reply to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Reading, West (Mr. Durant)—[Vol. 33, c.456] — that local authorities could plan their forward housing programme on the basis that their HIP allocations for 1984–85 would be at least 80 per cent. of those for 1983–84, if authorities could justify that level of expenditure. The assurance was also conditional on the assumptions that average rents rise in line with prices next year and that total housing capital receipts in 1984–85 would be expected to reach at least £1,300 million. The Government stand by that assurance, and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will announce the precise allocations for 1984–85 as soon as possible.