§ Mr. McGradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps will be taken to reappraise the rural priority areas in respect of housing rural unfitness.
§ Mr. AtkinsThis is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, but the chief executive has advised me 467W that rural priority areas—RPAs—are being reappraised as part of a wider review of the executive's rural housing policy. The executive hopes to extend RPA status to other areas, by reviewing the relevant unfitness criteria under which an area qualifies for such status. The executive will also be seeking to improve the effectiveness of action in RPAs by increasing the involvement of its district/regional offices and by closer co-operation with local voluntary groups. Existing RPA's will still be targeted for grant aid where there is a continuing need.