§ 28. Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps his Department is taking to encourage private sector developers to build to mobility standard.
§ Mr. YeoIn association with the National House Building Council and the Prince of Wales advisory group on disability, my Department has supported the initiative launched by the Prince of Wales in 1985, aimed at encouraging private sector housebuilders to design all new housing to be convenient for the disabled to live in or visit, coupled with house adaptations where necessary. Disabled people may obtain assistance for house adaptations under the new house renovation grant system introduced in the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and this should help to increase the amount of housing suitable for people with disabilities. Local authorities' spending on home improvement grants for works to disabled persons' dwellings in England increased from £2.547 million in 1980–81 to £51.549 million in 1988–\89. In addition, since October 1987 all housing association build arid rehabilitation schemes have been built to mobility standards, wherever practicable.