§ Mr. Peter Bruinvelsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what response he has made to the efficiency scrutiny of slum clearance subsidy carried out in 1986.
Mr. PattenI have placed in the Library a copy of the action plan containing our responses to the scrutiny arid its recommendations. The scrutiny reported on the effectiveness of slum clearance subsidy as a policy instrument and identified the main issue as how to encourage good decisions at local level about clearance and renovation of very poor housing. In the action plan, we have accepted the key findings of the scrutiny. In particular we agree the importance of an area-based approach, with systematic review of all the options and the involvement of the private and voluntary sectors wherever possible. We propose to pilot test the approach to neighbourhood renewal assessment suggested and to consider what advice we can give to local authorities in the meantime on the renewal of private housing within the present financial and legislative system.