§ 3. Lord Balnielasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what steps he is taking to encourage in the new towns the sale of houses to sitting tenants.
§ Sir K. JosephDevelopment corporations and the New Towns Commission are aware of my wish to encourage owner occupation and it is for them to decide whether any of their houses should be sold to sitting tenants.
§ Lord BalnielDoes my right hon. Friend recollect that about 42 per cent. of the population of this country are home owners, but that, on average, in the new towns only 7 per cent, of the houses have been built for sale? Will he consider as a step towards encouraging home ownership in the new towns asking the corporations to review large sectors of their rented accommodation so as to help existing sitting tenantsto purchase their houses if they so wish?
§ Sir K. JosephI will certainly undertake to my noble friend to encourage the new town corporations to build houses for sale in larger quantities at prices which tenants can afford.
§ Mr. H. HyndTo that end, will the right hon. Gentleman lay down a reasonable rate of interest to enable people to buy their own houses?
§ Sir K, JosephThe figures for owner-occupation are soaring at the present rate of interest.