Vol. 369 No. 4
asked the Minister for the Environment the reasons for the long delay in having inspections carried out for both new houses and home improvement grants; if he is prepared to take any action to remedy this situation; and if he will make a statement on this serious situation.
65.
asked the Minister for the Environment the reason for the long delay in carrying out inspections on new house grants.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 55 and 65 together.
Such delays in inspections as have arisen are attributable primarily to the very high number of applications received — about 120,000 to date — for house improvement grants, both new house and house improvement grants.
Since the introduction of the scheme various measures have been taken to increase the capacity to do inspections, including the engagement of about 80 additional temporary inspectors and the operation of a bonus scheme, which is in the nature of overtime for the permanent inspectorate staff. Notwithstanding these arrangements, it has not been possible to avoid some delays beyond the normal in certain areas. Staff have been redeployed to meet this situation. I expect to see an improvement in the inspection period in the areas in question.
