HC Deb 16 May 1973 vol 856 cc1499-500
21. Mr. Hordern

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will include the New Towns Commission among the housing authorities which will be invited to submit plans to build houses for sale at the permitted discount from unrestricted market value on land they own.

Mr. Eyre

No, Sir. But my right hon. Friend hopes that new town local authorities will, like local authorities elsewhere, come forward with schemes designed for this purpose. The commission and the development corporations are being asked to help where possible in making land available to those authorities.

Mr. Hordern

How can the fact be justified that the New Towns Commission, or a housing authority acting in the same area as a local authority, should not be able to offer the same terms and conditions as the local authority, in offering a discount on the prices of houses built for sale?

Mr. Eyre

Because the needs for extending home ownership in new towns are met in three main ways. The first is that anyone who qualifies for a new town rented house may buy it at a discount. Secondly, houses built for sale by private developers in new towns are available for newcomers. Thirdly, the new town local authorities can bring forward schemes for low-cost sponsored houses in the way that I have described to second generation families in those towns wherever appropriate.

Mr. Bagier

The hon. Gentleman sounds very convincing in his appeal in regard to house building for those who want to buy houses, but why has he seen fit to issue Circular 60/73, which prevents direct works departments from building houses for sale at considerably lower prices than their competitors? Why has he seen fit specifically to deny local authorities that right?

Mr. Eyre

That is another question, which is not relevant to the new towns situation. Direct labour organisations have plenty of work on hand, and it is very suitable for the private enterprise building industries to tender competitively for the contracts that the hon. Gentleman describes.

24. Mr. Allason

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will instruct the Commission for New Towns and New Town Development Corporations to offer flats and maisonettes for sale to tenants.

Mr. Channon

The commission and the corporations may already sell flats and maisonettes to sitting tenants. I am considering further advice to encourage an increased rate of sale.

Mr. Allason

I could not follow my hon. Friend's reply. Is the answer 'Yes" or "No"?

Mr. Channon

The answer is broadly "Yes", and I shall be issuing advice shortly.