asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the total public expenditure on house improvements and conversions under the Housing Act 1969 in 1973; how much of this is by local authorities on their own estates; how much is on owner-occupied properties; and how much on privately tenanted properties.

Total public expenditure on house improvements and conversions in England in the financial year 1973–74 is estimated at £370 million, of which £253 million relates to local authorities' spending on their own estates. No figures are available to indicate how the balance of £117 million is divided between owner-occupiers, housing associations, private landlords and other owners, but the latest grant approval figures show that about 70 per cent. of grants approved will go to owner-occupiers.