asked the Minister for the Environment the specific guidelines issued to local authorities and operated by him relating to payment of applications for the housing grants which were abolished in the 1987 budget.
219.
Written Answers. - Housing Grants.
33.
asked the Minister for the Environment his requirements, as evidence, of a legally binding and irrevocable commitment on foot of a legitimate expectation that a local authority surrender grant would be paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 33 and 219 together.
Housing authorities deal with applications for £5,000 surrender grants up to the stage of certification for payment. The authorities have been informed that they should continue to process the applications of persons to whom certificates of provisional approval had issued on or before 27 March 1987, and that payment of the grant will be made by my Department in these cases on receipt of certification that the conditions of the scheme, including that relating to the date of approval, have been met. In the case of persons who had not received provisional approval on or before 27 March, authorities have been advised that they should seek whatever evidence they consider necessary to establish that a legally binding and irrevocable commitment had been entered into on or before that date. An irrevocable contract to purchase or build a house or to purchase a building site or evidence of the payment of the purchase price or of an appropriate non-refundable deposit would be acceptable evidence for grant purposes.