HC Deb 30 April 1998 vol 311 cc178-9W
Angela Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what plans he has to reduce waiting times for local authority disability facilities grants; [40334]

(2) what was the average waiting time for a disabled facilities grant for (a) all applications, (b) council tenant applications, (c) housing association tenant applications, (d) private tenant applications and (e) owner occupier applications in the last year for which figures are available. [40335]

Mr. Raynsford

Information on the average waiting times for disabled facilities grants is not collected by the Department. Local authorities already have a statutory duty under section 34 of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 to notify the applicant within six months of the date of application whether the application is approved or refused. We have no plans to change this.