asked the Minister for the Environment the date from which applications for reconstruction grants will be received by his Department; and if he will clarify whether works commenced since the announcement about such grants will qualify for grant purposes.

I hope to be in a position shortly to announce details of the scheme, which I have instructed my Department to deal with as a matter of urgency.

Would the Minister of State please inform the House what he means by "shortly" and could he give an indication of the estimated cost of the scheme for the remainder of this year and also for the years 1982-83?

As soon as I get the report from my Department I will be in a position to give an answer. I have instructed my Department to work on it as a matter of extreme urgency. There will be no delays in implementing the home improvement grants.

Would the Minister of State inform the House if the energy-related aspect of the scheme which was promised by his party in their election manifesto includes the fireplace grant?

I am not in a position to answer that question. I will let the Deputy know as soon as possible.

Is the Minister of State suggesting that a promise was made and that he is not familiar with the details of that promise, which was made before the election?

The commitment we entered into will be fully met. It is a change to be informing the House that we are reintroducing improvement grants and not wiping them out.

Will there be a strict means tests for applicants under such a scheme, as there was under the last Coalition Government?

There is a £30 valuation limit.