HC Deb 14 March 1967 vol 743 cc202-5
5. Mr. Allason

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what advice he will give to local authorities regarding the housing of council tenants who are able to afford to buy their own homes.

17. Mr. Murton

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will now make a statement on the guidance he proposes to issue to local authorities regarding the sale of council houses.

19. Mr. Eyre

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will now make a further statement concerning his policy on the sale of council houses.

22. Mr. Rossi

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will make a statement on the sale of council houses.

Mr. Greenwood

I intend to issue a circular advising local authorities on this subject. Meanwhile I repeat that in general local authorities ought not to sell their houses where there is still an unsatisfied demand for houses to let at moderate rents and where a substantial programme of building houses to let is still needed. There will, of course, continue to be exceptions to this general rule where the sale of particular properties is warranted in the normal course of housing management.

Mr. Allason

Will the Minister recognise that leaving comparatively wealthy tenants in subsidised council houses does absolutely nothing to help those on the councils' waiting lists? Has he now abandoned the belief that subsidies should go to those in need?

Mr. Greenwood

I still believe that subsidies should go to those in the greatest need. I hope that the hon. Gentleman is not suggesting that there should be eviction of the tenants to whom he refers. I would remind him that local authorities have adequate powers to help people in this position with mortgages to buy their own homes.

Mr. Murton

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether he intends to issue the circular before or after the G.L.C. and municipal elections?

Mr. Greenwood

I hope within the next few days.

Mr. Eyre

Is the Minister aware that during the long years of Socialist control in the City of Birmingham, the building of new houses for sale has reduced to a mere trickle and that it is necessary now to restore a proper balance? Would he not agree that there is a widespread desire for extra home ownership, and that this is a right and proper policy?

Mr. Greenwood

I do not think the hon. Gentleman is speaking for the 38,000 still on the waiting list in Birmingham.

Mr. Rossi

Will the Minister give local authorities the assurance that he will leave with them full freedom of action dependent on their local conditions consistent with the policy he has laid down of noninterference over rent rebate schemes?

Mr. Greenwood

I think that the hon. Gentleman had perhaps better wait for the circular.

Mr. Christopher Price

Would my right hon. Friend watch the position in Birmingham very closely and remind the Council of the very serious situation which could arise in five years' time when many of the council houses now being sold off could, in fact, go on to the open market and be completely lost to the council for the very large waiting list they will no doubt still have at that time?

Mr. Greenwood

I will watch very carefully all areas where there is a serious housing shortage, as there still is in Birmingham.

Mr. Macdonald

Will the Minister take all steps to rebut the curious suggestion that rented council houses shall be confined to the poor, and assure the public that council tenants and applicants should be regarded as any other citizens and exactly equal?

Mr. Greenwood

I quite agree with my hon. Friend. I hope that the council estates will be socially balanced to a much greater extent than has been the position in the past.

Mr. Lubbock

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in Greater London there are no less than 150,000 families on the waiting lists? Will he, therefore, discourage the Greater London Council and the borough councils in Greater London from adopting this stupid policy?

Mr. Greenwood

I am much obliged to the hon. Gentleman. He will recall that I have stressed the importance of not selling houses where there is a substantial waiting list.

Mr. Graham Page

But ought not the right hon. Gentleman to appreciate the fact that many of these people got on the housing waiting lists many years ago? Ought not local authorities to reexamine their need, including their means, at the time they reach the top of the list?

Mr. Greenwood

The hon. Gentleman knows perfectly well that that is an entirely different question.

Dr. Ernest A. Davies

Will my right hon. Friend make it quite clear that he would expect a local authority to sell a house only in exceptional circumstances, and that there is a great demand for rented accommodation and ample opportunity for any person to buy a house if he so wishes?

Mr. Greenwood

I have stressed that there are exceptional cases where the sale of houses can be justified. I hope that hon. Members who arc falling for the argument advanced by hon. Gentlemen opposite will remember the possible consequences of increasing rents and rates by selling council houses.