Housing for the Elderly

HC Deb 30 June 1988 vol 136 c354W

Mr. David Evans

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he would be prepared in principle to relax the current restrictions on the use of capital receipts from the sale of council housing such that a greater proportion than the present 20 per cent. could be used in any one year, for additional specialised housing for the elderly.

Mr. Chope

Different prescribed proportions can be set for different classes of capital receipts, but the proportions cannot be varied by reference to the use proposed to be made of the receipts. All prescribed proportions are constantly kept under review, but any increase in them would reduce the level of capital allocations consistent with the level of local authority capital expenditure allowed for in public expenditure plans. It is for individual local authorities to decide what priority should be given within their overall capital programmes to the provision of specialised housing for the elderly.