§ Mr. Simon Hughesasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what account was taken, in fixing Birmingham city council's housing investment programme allocation for 1984–85, of its proposals for enveloping schemes.
§ Sir George YoungAccount was taken of all the proposals contained in Birmingham's housing investment programme (HIP) submission for 1984–85, including those for enveloping schemes, in determining its HIP allocation of £66.9 million.
§ Mr. Simon Hughesasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement of his Department's present policy on enveloping; and whether it differs in any respect from that announced by the hon. Member for Tonbridge and Mailing (Mr. Stanley) in December 1982, Official Report, column 404.
§ Sir George YoungMy hon. Friend the Member for Tonbridge and Mailing (Mr. Stanley) announced on 3 December 1982 the issue of DOE circular 29/82 describing arrangements by which authorities could use their housing 327W investment programme allocations and capital receipts to carry out enveloping schemes in housing action areas. That circular remains in force. We have prepared a further draft circular on which the local authority associations and other interested bodies are being consulted. This builds on the experience gained since 1982. It aims to increase the speed with which decisions are made by clarifying the kinds of schemes which are likely to be accepted for exchequer contribution and the nature of the information required by my Department in support of proposals.
It also sets out arrangements for dealing with enveloping projects which include dwellings in the ownership of local authorities or housing associations.