§ Mr. Corbettasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many of the houses identified by the 1981 English house condition survey as needing over £7,000 spent on them at 1981 prices, have since been put into good repair; how many additional houses now need over £7,000, at 1981 prices, spent on them; and by what date he expects local authorities to have ensured that all dwellings in serious disrepair have been brought up to standard.
§ Sir George YoungNo systematic information is available by which to measure the progress made since the 1981 English house condition survey took place. During the period 1981–82 to 1983–84, more than 450,000 improvement and repair grants have been given, including some 190,000 repair grants. Unprecedented resources have been made available to improve the condition of the housing stock.
§ Mr. Corbettasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is Her Majesty's Government's long-term policy for renovating unfit housing.
§ Sir George YoungThe Government encourage local authorities to give a high priority to the renovation and improvement of dwellings lacking amenities, or in disrepair. It is for local authorities to decide how best to use the resources available in the light of local housing needs and priorities.
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§ Mr. Corbettasked the Secretary of State for the Environment by what date he expects to see a significant reduction in the number of homes in disrepair or serious disrepair in England.
§ Sir George YoungThe rate of progress in combating disrepair depends primarily on the level of spending on property by its owners. The Government are reviewing housing improvement policy with a view to encouraging greater activity in maintaining, repairing and improving the housing stock and ensuring the public funds go to the people and buildings most in need. My right hon. Friend hopes to announce the Government's proposals shortly and I expect them to lead to significant improvement in the condition of the housing stock over the next few years.
§ Mr. Corbettasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he proposes to raise the current figures of £4,800 maximum eligible expense, outside London, for repair grants.
§ Sir George YoungThe eligible expense limit of £4,800 was set in May 1983 and my right hon. Friend has received no evidence to suggest that a general increase is yet required.
§ Mr. Corbettasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will include dangerous electrical wiring in the mandatory intermediate housing grant.
§ Sir George YoungMandatory intermediate grants are available for the first-time installation of missing basic amenities such as sinks, baths and inside WCs. Improvement grants are available for the provision of adequate wiring as part of a comprehensive improvement scheme. While the question of grants for rewiring is kept under review, there are no plans to change these arrangements at present.
§ Mr. Corbettasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether it remains Government policy to enable home owners on low incomes to bring their dwellings to a minimum reasonable state of repair.
§ Sir George YoungYes. This Government have made exceptional levels of resources available to assist homeowners to improve their property. Local authorities are able to make higher levels of grant available to applicants in financial hardship. We shall continue to give a high priority to the renovation of the housing stock.