§ Mr. Peter AtkinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what financial support will be available towards local housing authorities' expenditure on private sector housing renewal following enactment of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Bill. [16385]
§ Mr. CurryClauses 91 and 134 of the Bill authorise the Secretary of State to make contributions to local housing authorities towards expenditure incurred by them under part I and clause 127 of the Bill.
Resources will continue to be distributed to local housing authorities in England as part of their annual housing investment programme allocation. However, from 1 April 1997, the allocations for private sector renewal and disabled facilities grants will be made as two separate allocations.
Disabled facilities grants will continue to be supported through specified capital grant to reimburse 60 per cent. actual eligible expenditure. A guideline allocation will be notified to local authorities and a supplementary credit approval up to the guideline allocation will also be provided.
All other expenditure under these provisions will be supported by a specific capital grant to reimburse 60 per cent. of expenditure up to a cash limit notified to each authority.
The Exchequer support for eligible expenditure incurred up to 31 March 1997 will be paid under the present arrangements.