§ Dr. Lynne JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what consideration he has given to the ability of people in low-paid employment to meet the level of rents for housing association properties implied by the proposed reduction in housing association grants by 1995–96;
(2) if he will undertake a full assessment of the consequences of the proposed reduction in housing allocation grant rate to 55 per cent. on the financial viability and viability of the housing association movement and the ability of individual housing associations to attract private funding.
§ Mr. BaldryNo decision on grant rates for 1995–96 has been taken yet. That decision will be taken in the light of a full consideration of a number of factors, including the likely impact on rents and the ability of housing associations to attract private finance.
§ Dr. Lynne JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to preserve and sustain the current scale and diversity of the housing association movement and to ensure that the housing allocation grant funding levels set by his Department will reflect and further this objective,
§ Mr. BaldryThe Government's expenditure plans announced in the Chancellor's autumn statement more 87W than meet the commitment in our manifesto to spend nearly £6 billion through the Housing Corporation over the three years to 1994–95. The value of diversity is certainly one of the factors which we will take into account in making decisions about future levels of housing association grant.