asked the Minister for the Environment if he will give full details of the sources of funding for the construction of local authority tenancy dwellings and in particular his role in it; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
111.
Written Answers. - Local Authority Housing.
110.
asked the Minister for the Environment his policy in relation to the refurbishment of run down local authority estates; the provisions that have been made to either encourage and/or help local authorities to refurbish such estates; the funds which are being provided by his Department for such refurbishment; what other sources of income are available to local authorities for this purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 110 and 111 together.
The housing construction programmes of local authorities are financed by way of borrowings, almost exclusively from the Local Loans Fund. The loan charges incurred on all such borrowings are met in full by a subsidy from my Department's Vote.
The maintenance of their rented houses is the responsibility of housing authorities and is funded from their own resources including rental income from housing and portion of the proceeds of sales of local authority houses.
It is my policy, subject only to the limitations on available resources, to encourage and assist local authorities in carrying out essential refurbishment and improvement works to designated low cost and pre-1940 rented dwellings. The capital made available for this scheme is subsidised at a rate not exceeding 80 per cent of the loan charges and a total of £7 million has been provided for the purpose in this year's Public Capital Programme. In addition, £1 million, by way of unsubsidised capital, is available for carrying out improvements such as the provision of sanitary facilities, extra accommodation etc., to other rented dwellings. Housing authorities may also, with my consent, use certain housing capital receipts for the refurbishment and improvement of their houses.