§ Mr. Lofthouseasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any plans to increase the housing investment programme allocations to local authorities in view of the increased expenditure arising out of the Housing Defects Act and the proposed increase in eligible expense limits.
§ Mr. John PattenThe housing investment programme allocations for 1986–87 have already taken account of local authorities' likely expenditure under the housing defects legislation. My Department will continue to monitor the position carefully and all the relevant factors, including the impact of the increased eligible expense limits, will be taken into account in decisions about the distribution of housing resources for 1987–88.