Housing Defects Act

HC Deb 22 June 1988 vol 135 c617W

79. Sir John Biggs-Davison

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the working of the Housing Defects Act.

Mrs. Roe

We have recently modified the rules of the scheme to enable local authorities more readily to give appropriate help to owners of houses designated as defective. We have also increased the cost limits up to which grants for repairs are available, and we have allocated a further £20 million to local authorities with the heaviest obligations to help house owners.

Local authorities are now generally making good progress in implementing the legislation, but we are continuing to monitor the scheme closely, and to examine the scope for further streamlining.