HC Deb 14 March 1986 vol 93 cc622-3W
Dr. Cunningham

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list all specific type grants paid by his Department to local authorities, showing the size of each grant, which were hypothecated to any individual service or services, or where local authorities had to bid for specific grants.

Mr. Kenneth Baker

My Department pays specific grants to local authorities as set out in the table. The size of each grant is expressed as the forecast outturn payments in 1985–86.

Department of the Environment—Specific grants paid to local authorities
Grant and Purpose 1985–86 Forecast Outturn Bid required?
Subsidy in support of the provision and maintenance of housing to rent under the Housing Act 1980 £410.5 million
Contributions towards the costs of environmental works in Housing Action Areas and General Improvement Areas £10.5 million
Contributions towards the cost of grants for the improvement, conversion and repair of private sector accommodation approved since 14 December 1980 £306.2 million
Grants for homes insulation £21.1 million
Contributions towards the cost of improvement for sale £1.0 million
Grants towards the cost of taking over and repairing former new town housing £1.2 million Bid required
Slum clearance subsidy £51.8 million
Payments towards the cost of repurchase or repair of dwellings designated under the Housing Defects Act 1984 New grant—deminimis payments so far
Grants for the provision of sites for gypsies £3.5 million Bid required
Payments to lending institutions to reimburse the costs of interest free loans and grants under the home purchase assistance scheme LA element of scheme de minimis
Subsidy in support of the provision and maintenance of housing for rent under the Housing Rent and Subsidies Act 1975 £0.15 million Residual— no new entitlement
Grant and Purpose 1985–86 Forecast Outturn Bid required?
Transitional town development subsidy £0.01 million Residual— no new entitlement
Contributions towards the cost of improving non housing revenue account dwellings £0.3 million Residual— no new entitlement
Grants towards the cost of providing accommodation for agricultural workers £0.03 million Residual— no new entitlement
Contributions towards the cost of providing hostel accommodation £0.47 million Residual— no new entitlement
Contributions towards the cost of grants for the improvement, conversion and repair of private sector accommodation approved before 15 December 1980 £111.3 million Residual— no new entitlement
Payments towards the costs of repurchase or repair of Airey Houses £0.78 million Residual— no new entitlement
Grants towards the costs of rent rebates and rent allowances* (£0.33 million) Residual— no new entitlement
Grants to defray the costs of the National Mobility Office and the tenants exchange scheme £0.25 million Bid required
Payments to reimburse the costs of the rent officer service £18 million Bid required
Planning Redevelopment Grant towards the cost of loan charges incurred in comprehensive development schemes £3.8 million Residual— no new entitlement after 1 April 1986
Public Open Space Grant towards the cost of land acquisition £8.0 million Residual— no new entitlement
Town Development Grants towards the costs of providing amenities in approved town expansion schemes £1.2 million Bid required
Temporary Defence Works Grant to help meet costs of restoration of land damaged by war works de minimis Bid required
Clean Air Grants towards the costs of modifying solid fuel appliances £1.2 million Bid required
Contribution towards the operating deficit of the airport at St. Mary's, Isles of Scilly £0.6 million Residual— no further payments
Derelict Land Grant £60 million [local authority element] Bid required
Urban Programme Grant to assist the regeneration of local economies, the improvement of the environment and to meet social need in inner urban areas £185 million Bid required
National Parks Supplementary Grant £5.8 million Bid Required
Compensation for the loss of rates from industrial and commercial property in enterprise zones £21.3 million
Grant towards the costs of rate rebates for disabled people £59.5 million
* The net receipt on this residual item in 1985–86 results from adjustments for prior years.

Note: All specific grants paid by the Department are hypothecated to particular services, except for National Parks Supplementary Grant, and Enterprise Zones Rate Rebates Grants.