§ Mr. McGradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the time taken to release payments for discretionary grants by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, Southern Division. [164610]
§ Mr. SpellarThe Northern Ireland Housing Executive, which has an overall grants budget of £41.13 million in the 2003–04 financial year, aims to make payments within six weeks of a request for inspection provided that all the relevant invoices, guarantees and certificates have been received. In the south area 89.7 per cent. of payments are made within six weeks against a target of 90 per cent.