asked Her Majesty's Government:How many local authorities have claimed Specified Capital Grant ("SCG") for private sector renovation in excess of the figure identified for that purpose in their Housing Investment Programme allocation for 1995–96; and what is the total value of such additional SCG claimed.

Local authorities' claims represent their estimates of expenditure attracting specified capital grant in 1995–96 and are subject to change until February 1997 when final audited claims for 1995–96 are due to be submitted. At this stage it is not possible to disaggregate claims and allocations for housing defects expenditure from those for private sector renewal. On this basis 244 local authorities claimed a total of £58.6 million in excess of their guideline allocation for private sector renewal and housing defects.