§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local authorities have received special loan sanctions to re-purchase defective housing in advance of reinstatement schemes being available.
§ Mr. John PattenUnder the housing defects legislation local authorities decide whether to repurchase, or provide grant for reinstatement, in accordance with the rules laid down in the legislation. They do not need my Department's approval for the exercise of the judgment the law requires of them. Nor do they need special loan sanction to enable them to finance their decisions.
§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local authorities have drawn his attention to problems with roof trusses on dwellings constructed between 1965 to 1975; and what has been his response.
§ Mr. John PattenThe only local authority which has made representations to me on this subject is the borough of Redditch, to which I shall be replying shortly.