HC Deb 17 December 1968 vol 775 cc1145-6
5. Mr. Winnick

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what consultations are taking place with local authorities on the question of selling land in their possession which was meant for council accommodation, but which such local authorities are now considering selling to private developers.

31. Miss Lestor

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many local authorities in the last two years have sold land in their possession which was designed for council housing; and what is his policy in this matter.

Mr. MacColl

Local authorities do not need my right hon. Friend's consent to sell housing land unless it was acquired by compulsory purchase or is being sold below market price. Where his consent is required, he examines the case in the light of housing needs in the area.

Mr. Winnick

Is it not absolutely disgraceful that some councils, obviously Conservative-controlled, with housing shortages in their areas are willing to sell land in their possession for private development? If it was right for the Government to ban the sale of council houses in certain circumstances, would they not be willing to take the same action with councils willing to sell such land?

Mr. MacColl

I think that the present powers that we have to interfere in those two cases are enough to give us a general control over housing development.

Miss Lestor

Will not my hon. Friend agree that this selling of council housing land is accompanied by the selling of council houses? In Slough, 90 houses have been sold to date and 335 sales are going through the pipeline. Does he not think that these two happenings are likely to cause housing shortage in the rented area?

Mr. MacColl

The housing need is one of the points we particularly take into account, because one has to look at the whole picture—the number of council houses there are already and the possibility of getting more.

Mr. Allason

What is the Minister's advice to local authorities which are refused loan sanction for the development of land which they already own, in view of the heavy land charges they have to carry while the land is undeveloped?

Mr. MacColl

I would not give any advice unless I knew the particulars of the case.