asked the Minister for the Environment the number of applicants for home improvement scheme grants, which have been approved without inspection to date; the number that have been approved; and the total cost of grants approved to date.
Written Answers. - House Improvement Scheme.
62.
Approximately 26,000 applicants were covered by the special dispensation from prior inspection. A total of 23,600 applications had been approved following first inspections up to 31 May last. The estimated total value of all approvals at that date was £88 million.
63.
asked the Minister for the Environment the number of applicants, under the new house improvement grant scheme with pre-1940 houses who have been approved for the maximum £8,000 grant available from his Department to date.
The information requested is not readily available as the statistics of grant approvals maintained by my Department do not classify grants in this way. However, up to 31 May 1986 a total of 3,900 special repair grants to pre-1940 dwellings had been approved. An applicant can qualify for a maximum grant of £8,600 for a pre-1940 house if eligible for grants in respect of the provision of a water supply sewerage facilities and a bathroom, and the building of an extension in addition to the maximum repairs grant of £5,000.