asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he expects to approve the proposed 1980–81 programme of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive for improvement schemes.

The Housing Executive is reviewing its improvement schemes in the light of financial resources which I have indicated recently will be available to it in 1980–81. When this review is completed, I will be in a position to give my approval. Our discussions suggest that the final figure allotted for improvement grants and for maintenance and improvement of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive stock will exceed £90 million. In real terms this will be the largest sum ever allotted to improvement schemes in Northern Ireland.