Housing

HC Deb 26 February 1986 vol 92 cc588-9W

Mr. Steel

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will raise the tolerable standard for Scottish housing in line with the recommendations in his Department's Green Paper.

Mr. Rifkind

The Green Paper "Home Improvements in Scotland — A New Approach" — Cmnd. 9677 —published in December 1985, outlines our proposals for changes to the present improvement grant scheme and views have been invited from interested organisations. The consultation period expires on 7 March 1986.

Any proposed change to the Scottish tolerable standard would require to be considered in the light of the comments received and would require legislation.

Dr. Godman

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what grants have been allocated by his Department to the Inverclyde district council in each of the past five years for housing improvement projects; and what spending constraints have been imposed on Inverclyde district council during the past five years.

Mr. Ancram

I shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

Mr. Steel

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if his Department will fund a survey of the condition of housing in Scotland similar to those funded for England in 1981 and 1985 by the Department of the Environment; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Rifkind

I am prepared to consider a national house condition survey, but only if I can be persuaded that the results would add significantly to the information that is already available to me and thereby justify the very considerable cost and effort involved. I have yet to be convinced of the validity of that argument.

A national survey with a sample size and structure parallel to that of the 1981 English survey would not yield the level and detail of information required in Scotland. Better use can be made of the available funds by undertaking work on the stock and by targeting surveys to specific areas of the stock where problems have been identified.

I do not believe that a Scottish inquiry, parallel to that carried out in 1985 by the Department of the Environment, is necessary. I already have detailed assessments of the repair and modernisation needs of the local authority stock submitted by local authorities in the form of housing plans and check lists. This year, local authorities have been given consent to spend on their own stock over £50 million more than in the previous year.