HC Deb 21 January 1987 vol 108 cc590-1W
Mr. Meadowcroft

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list in the Official Report the number of houses in each local authority areas for which the local authority has received funds for repairs and for buy-back under the Housing Defects Act 1984.

Mr. Tracey

Under the housing defects legislation central Government contributes towards local authorities' costs in giving reinstatement grants and in buying back designated dwellings. Authorities claim Exchequer contribution a year in arrears, and the payments take the form of annuities payable over 20 years. To date, 138 local authorities in England have submitted claims totalling £2.3 million, but their returns do not give the numbers of dwellings involved.

Mr. Meadowcroft

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what representations he has had from Leeds city council on the problem of Reema dwellings in the city; and if he will make a statement;

(2) what research he has carried out into methods of rectifying defects in Reema multistorey flats;

(3) if he will make a special capital allocation to Leeds city council to enable rehabilitation or replacement of Reema dwellings to take place; and if he will make a statement;

(4) if he will issue a circular to local authorities unable to bring multi-storey flats up to his recommended safety standards; and if he will make a statement;

(5) if he will treat the problem of Reema construction in the same way as Airey construction, and make special resources available;

(6) if he will list in the Official Report the number of Reema dwellings in each local authority area, and the number still occupied in each case.

Mr. John Patten

I shall answer these questions shortly.