§ 4. Mr. Clinton Davisasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received requesting him to introduce legislation to require local authorities to sell all council houses: and what replies he has sent.
§ The Minister for Housing and Construction (Mr. Julian Amery)I have received representations from members of local authorities, from the general public—including council tenants' associations—and from inside this House, to make it compulsory for local authorities to sell houses to tenants who wish to buy. My reply, so far, has been that I sincerely hope that the local authorities will authorise such sales of their own accord.
§ Mr. DavisWill the Minister confirm that he has had no such representations from the council of the London Borough of Hackney? Does he not recognise that in housing stress areas such as Hackney, where thousands of people are on the waiting list and there are inadequate land resources, to follow this doctrinaire advice would be folly in the extreme, because it would result in depleting the housing stock?
§ Mr. AmeryI should prefer to answer a Question about Hackney if the hon. Gentleman would table one. On the general principle that he has raised, he should remember that selling a house does not deprive anybody of a house. Presumably the tenant would remain a tenant if he did not buy the house.
§ Mr. BlenkinsopWill the Minister reject all efforts to restrict the proper powers of local authorities to make their own decisions?
§ Mr. AmeryI should be reluctant to interfere with the power of local authorities. On the other hand, if they were indefinitely to frustrate the wishes of a large number of their tenants on a matter of this importance I should have to reconsider the position.