I propose to take Questions Nos. 18, 21, 72 and 183 together.
The preparation of the heads of the new housing Bill is proceeding as a matter or urgency in my Department. I am not in a position, at this stage, to give a precise date for the publication of the Bill. However, most of the measures contained in the policy document, A Plan for Social Housing which I published on 14 February last can be, and are being, implemented without new primary legislation and where such legislation is required this is clearly indicated in the document.
The up-to-date position regarding the implementation of each of the principal measures in the plan is as follows:
1. House Purchase and Improvement Loans: Increased loan and income limits, effective from 14 February 1991, were formally notified to local authorities on 26 February 1991.
2. Voluntary Housing Scheme: A circular notifying the increased grant limits and other improvements to the voluntary housing scheme, and the new scheme for communal facilities issued to local authorities on 11 April 1991. The new limits and so on apply to works commenced since 14 February.
3. Rental Subsidy for Voluntary Housing: A circular giving the full operational details of the scheme issued to local authorities on 3 May 1991. Detailed discussions have been held with representatives of voluntary housing bodies. In fact, one project has already been approved under the scheme and others in various locations are in preparation.
4. Housing Sites: A circular giving the terms of a scheme for the provision of sites by local authorities to qualified individuals and co-operatives at low or nominal prices issued to local authorities on 1 May 1991.
5. Mortgage Allowance for Tenants: This £3,300 allowance is available in cases where contracts to purchase private houses are entered into by local authority tenants or tenant purchasers after 14 February 1991. There have been discussions with the financial institutions regarding the operation of this scheme. The circular giving operational details will issue to local authorities this week.
6. Shared Ownership System: As stated in the plan, this scheme, which is new to this country, requires legislation. Expert legal advice has been sought on its possible implementation on an interim basis pending the legislation. If it proves possible to devise interim arrangements, local authorities should be in a position to deal with applications in a matter of weeks.
7. Improvements-Extensions instead of Local Authority Housing: Local authority managers have already been requested to examine waiting lists to ascertain cases for which this scheme would be appropriate. A circular notifying allocations and authorising local authorities to proceed with works under the scheme issued on 3 May 1991. Expert legal advice is being sought by the Department on the form of agreement to be entered into between the authority and the applicant and local authorities will be advised when this is available. There is no reason, however, why implementation cannot be pressed ahead on the basis of the circular already issued.
8. Bathrooms Sub-Programme: A circular giving allocations and other details of the bathrooms scheme for local authority dwellings issued on 26 April 1991.
9. Homeless People: Revised guidelines, including new financial arrangements in relation to the accommodation needs of homeless people, issued to local authorities on 3 May 1991.
10. Travelling People: A circular reminding local authorities of their responsibilities in relation to the accommodation needs of travelling people and asking each authority to draw up a clearly defined set of proposals to meet identified needs issued to local authorities on 1 May 1991.
11. Private Rented Accommodation: As stated in the plan, the very significant safeguards announced for private tenants will require new legislation and will be provided for in the new housing Bill.
A Plan for Social Housing is a major policy document of great significance in the social housing area and has been acknowledged as such in many quarters.