§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish the financial limits on the current home improvement grants scheme; and when they were last increased.
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 14 May 1992]: Local authorities may give various grants for works of improvement or repair. The amount which they may offer is limited by the percentage rate of grant in each case and by statutory maxima which govern the cost of works eligible for grant assistance. The various percentage rates of grant, and the approved maximum cost for each, are given in a Scottish Office publication "Improve Your Home with a Grant", which is available in the Library.
The percentage rates of grant have been little changed since 1984, when the rate of repairs grant for works to replace lead plumbing was set at 75 per cent. The various expense maxima are amended from time to time and were most recently changed in 1988.
§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will consider increasing the current ceilings on grants available for home improvements.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonI have received few representations that the various approved expense limits for works qualifying for improvement or repairs grant should be generally increased. Therefore, I see no strong grounds for a review, although the limits are considered periodically. Where a local authority considers that there are good reasons for the cost of works to exceed the relevant limit, it may seek my right hon. Friend's approval to increase that limit. All such requests are dealt with promptly and sympathetically.