HC Deb 03 March 1970 vol 797 cc239-40
8. Mr. Speed

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many council houses have been sold in each of the past three years.

Mr. Greenwood

The numbers of council houses sold in the past three years are as follows:

1967, … … … 3, 200
1968 … … … 8,571
1969 … … … 7,521
Mr. Speed

How does the Minister equate the restriction on council house sales with the Government's avowed intention of giving more responsibility to local authorities?

Mr. Greenwood

This is a matter which involves national policies, and we have throughout made it quite clear that the discretion we want local authorities to operate must be subject to over-riding national considerations. We have the very strongest policy objections, as a Government, to paying out subsidy on houses which will then be disposed of.

Mr. Heffer

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that many of his hon. Friends feel that the figures which he has given are far too high, especially in relation to the sale of council houses in areas of great housing need such as Liverpool and Birmingham? Should not the Government act vigorously to ensure that there should be no sale of council houses in areas where there is a great need for houses?

Mr. Greenwood

The figures are certainly higher than I would want. On the other hand, there are cases where it is justifiable on pure management grounds for there to be a disposal of council houses. It would be quite wrong to place on the Department the too heavy administrative burden which would be placed upon it if we took the powers asked for by my hon. Friend. But I am sympathetic to his point of view.