§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what plans he has to assist Leicester Housing Association to improve the ex-British Coal properties under its ownership in North Nottinghamshire; [1818]
(2) if he plans to remove the embargo on the application of social housing grants to the improvement of former British Coal properties. [1817]
§ Mr. RaynsfordWe have no immediate plans to remove the bar on the application of social housing grant to the improvement of former British Coal properties, although we intend to look again at this issue. Any reconsideration of the policy will, however, need to take into account the wider issues of using grant to pay for repairs or improvements to stock transferred to housing associations from ex public sector landlords, and will need to ensure that any such expenditure represents good value for money.