§ Mr. David PorterTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what information he has as to how many properties are now covered by the rural county-based housing associations established under the sponsorship of the National Agricultural Centre Rural Trust;
(2) what level of support grant was given by Government-sponsored agencies to the rural county-based housing associations for the last financial year; and what is the current level of Government support;
(3) what level of support grant was given by Government-sponsored agencies to the National Agricultural Centre Rural Trust for the last financial year; and what is the current level of Government support;
(4) how many new housing associations have been created in the current year in rural areas with support from central Government.
§ Mr. Trippier[holding answer 12 December 1988]: The Housing Corporation has nine rural county-based associations currently registered with it of which one was registered this year. Those associations have 50 properties in management wth a further 144 properties approved for funding or in the pipeline.
In 1987–88 the Housing Corporation allocated grants of £4,547,000 to projects by rural county-based associations. This year the corporation has allocated £5,209,000 to such projects.
In 1987–88 the Rural Development Commission gave a grant of £112,500 towards the National Agricultural Centre Rural Trust's (NACRT's) running costs. The Department has given approval for the Commission to pay grant to NACRT of up to £315,000 in this financial year.