HC Deb 27 February 1973 vol 851 cc1283-4
Q3. Mr. Tebbit

asked the Prime Minister if he will pay an official visit to the London borough of Waltham Forest.

The Prime Minister

I have at present no plans to do so, Sir.

Mr. Tebbit

Is my right hon. Friend aware that his answer is a disappointment to me because I had hoped that if he had visited that borough he would have spoken to the leaders of the Labour-controlled council to ask them why their rates are soaring while those of the Tory GLC are held down, and also to make the point to them that they should not come as supplicants for Government money while they refuse to take notice of the Government's request that they should sell council houses to tenants who wish to buy them?

The Prime Minister

I think that my hon. Friend has made his point admirably without my paying a visit to his constituency. I support his view that local authorities should sell council houses and I can confirm that more and more local authorities have been doing so during the past year.