HC Deb 19 May 1971 vol 817 cc1249-51
13. Mr. Tebbit

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether his Department will publish an information booklet for the benefit of council tenants on the advantages of buying their council house.

Mr. Peter Walker

I am pleased to say that many towns are already issuing booklets on this subject. I will consider my hon. Friend's suggestion.

Mr. Tebbit

Would my right hon. Friend not agree that if we are to believe the election addresses of Socialist candidates in the local council elections—which is an unwise thing to do—home ownership will take a nasty knock and that, therefore, a booklet of this sort will be greatly needed? Perhaps my right hon. Friend might even persuade some Opposition Front Bench members to write a foreword on the subject of the fair rents system which they introduced, and which we shall extend but with rebates?

Mr. Walker

I am certain that there are thousands of council tenants who would like to have further information on this subject.

Mr. Frank Allaun

Is it not a fact that only 6,396 council tenants bought their houses last year out of 5½ million such tenants? Is not the whole business a gimmick of no significance unless the Government raise council rents so high that they force tenants to buy houses that they cannot really afford?

Mr. Walker

Unfortunately, for half of last year the Labour Party was in power. I am delighted to say that since then the figures have greatly improved. I am delighted that since my announcement on new towns 12,000 new town tenants have applied to buy their own houses.

Mr. Kenneth Lewis

Would my right hon. Friend agree that, however few the numbers might be, they will certainly grow in the next year or two and that opportunity should be given to people to buy their council houses if they want to? Is this not a means by which one can make more housing units generally available?

Mr. Walker

Yes, Sir. I am surprised that the Labour Party wishes to deprive people from buying their own homes.

Mr. Blenkinsop

Could the Secretary of State make sure that the information makes people aware of the disadvantages as well as the advantages of buying their houses?

Mr. Walker

I shall rely on the hon. Gentleman to produce a leaflet on that subject.