§ Sir Peter Millsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what account he has taken in his publicity promoting improvement grants of the reduced level of funds to be available for such grants in 1984–85; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir George YoungMost applications under the home improvement grants scheme are decided at the discretion464W of local authorities who must determine their own responses to individual applications in the light of their consideration of local needs and priorities.
General guidance on the availability of grants is given in my Department's Housing Booklet No. 14, "Home Improvement Grants — A Guide for home-owners, landlords and tenants". A new edition of this is soon to be published. It will continue to explain the various types of grant which can be given, and will again emphasise the need for potential applicants to discuss the availability of grants with their local authority at the earliest possible stage.
My right hon. Friend and I are confident that there will be a high level of investment in home improvement grants in 1984–85.