§ Mrs. FyfeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much from(a) grant, (b) consent to borrow and (c) capital receipts, will be devoted next financial year to the eradication of dampness and condensation in (i) council housing stock, (ii) owner-occupied stock and (iii) housing association/Scottish Homes stock.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonUnder the housing plan system introduced earlier this year central resource planning assumptions totalling £400 million on the housing revenue account and £123 million on the non-HRA were advised to local housing authorities to assist them in planning their capital programmes for investment in public and private sector housing in 1994–95. Authorities were asked to give priority to tackling condensation and dampness, as well as below tolerable standard housing and homelessness, within their capital programmes. These capital programmes are currently under consideration. Scottish Homes is also giving priority to tackling condensation and dampness in both housing association and their own stock. It is for local authorities and Scottish Homes to determine how to allocate the resources made available to them.
§ Mrs. FyfeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how long it will take at the current rate of funding of district councils' housing revenue account and non-housing revenue account of capital programmes to(a) eradicate dampness and condensation and (b) refurbish to modern standards housing in Scotland.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonAll local housing authorities have been asked in preparing their housing plans and housing capital programmes for 1994–95 and 261W beyond, to develop a strategy for tackling damp housing in their areas, including setting quantified targets which can be used as a basis for assessing progress. The resource planning assumptions advised to local authorities provide them with a framework within which to plan for tackling dampness, condensation and refurbishment.
However, housing capital allocations are generally not earmarked for specific purposes and it is for local authorities themselves to decide how best to deploy the resources available to them to meet local housing needs, including the need to deal with dampness and condensation and to refurbish houses to modern standards.