HC Deb 02 December 1987 vol 123 cc625-6W
61. Mr. Morley

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will increase central Government subsidies to local authorities in respect of their improvement and repair programmes; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Waldegrave

There are no current plans to increase central government subsidies to local authorities for the improvement and repair of their own housing stock as these are included in the housing subsidy system which is intended to meet any deficit on housing expenditure which an authority cannot finance out of their own resources. The Department's proposals for a reformed system of grants to householders for repair and improvement and the appropriate levels of Exchequer contribution to local authorities are set out in the consultation paper: "Home Improvement Policy" which was published on 5 November 1987, copies of which have been placed in the Library of the House.