§ Mrs. Virginia Bottomleyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to issue the circular referred to in the Treasury minute published on 24 October 1984 in response to the twenty-third report of the Public Accounts Committee of Session 1983–84.
§ Mr. John PattenA circular (DOE 26/85; Welsh Office 54/85) which offers advice on the interpretation of some aspects of the existing home improvement grant legislation is being sent to all local authorities today and copies have been placed in the Library.
The circular makes it clear that, with effect from 2 December 1985, the Government will, in general, no 26W longer pay Exchequer contributions towards grants to developers who intend to improve houses and sell them at a profit.
The other main purposes of the circular are as follows:
- 1. To set out the Secretary of State's general position as regards the payment of Exchequer contribution.
- 2. To state the views of the Department and the Welsh Office on the interpretation of some provisions of the home improvement grant legislation.
- 3. To inform local authorities of those circumstances in which Exchequer contribution will no longer normally be payable, with effect from 2 December 1985.
- 4. To offer guidance on certain other aspects of the legislation which have given rise to a number of inquiries.