HC Deb 10 July 1974 vol 876 cc1346-8
14. Mr. Barry Henderson

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether it is his policy to restrict the freedom of local authorities and new town development corporations to sell houses to sitting tenants who want to buy their own houses.

Mr. Millan

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to my right hon. Friend's reply on 9th July to my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow, Queens Park (Mr. McElhone).

Mr. Henderson

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this decision to make further restrictions by stealth on the sale of council houses to sitting tenants will strike dismay in the hearts of many people who believe that it is an extremely valuable way to help tenants and those who wish to buy houses, as well as all the ratepayers?

Is he aware that, in the new town of Cumbernauld, of 10,000 houses put up by the development corporation over 1,000 have already been sold to sitting tenants, and there is a large waiting list? This action has produced a universal welcome in the new town.

Will the hon. Gentleman undertake, if he brings in restrictions on new towns as he has done on local authority housing, that those who already have applications in when the guillotine comes down will still be allowed to buy their own homes?

Mr. Millan

I do not see how a circular to local authorities can be interpreted as acting by stealth. The policy on new towns is rather different, and always has been, and it is under consideration at the moment, as an answer given yesterday shows. Any commitments that have been entered into with sitting tenants will be honoured, and will not be affected by the circular.

Dr. M. S. Miller

Does my hon. Friend agree that this is not a restriction of freedom, and that it is the realisation of local authorities, and, I hope, of his Department, that most people in Scotland want houses at reasonable rents? We are not opposed in principle to the selling of houses, but selling houses of this kind does not add a single house to the pool. Will my hon. Friend resist any attempts with regard to selling houses while people still want houses to rent?

Mr. Millan

I am already resisting that. The change is one to greater restriction. There is still much unsatis fled demand for houses to rent in Scotland and the primary responsibility of local authorities should be to meet that demand. We are not willing to see houses sold in areas where there are still demands for houses to rent.

Mr. Teddy Taylor

Does not the hon. Gentleman agree that the people of Scotland know better what they want than does the hon. Member for East Kilbride (Dr. Miller)? Is it not an outrageous and spiteful policy? Is it true that the Government are preventing local authorities from offering these houses at a discount, as they were previously entitled to do? Is he aware that, bearing in mind that our previous policy was frustrated by some foolish local authorities, the Conservative Party is fully committed to ensure that every council tenant in Scotland who wants to buy his home can do so from the moment that we have another Conservative Government?

Mr. Millan

That sounds rather like the traditional Conservative Party way of dictating to local authorities in regard to their housing policies. I do not accept anything that the hon. Gentleman has said.

There are certain conditions involved in these cases where authority to sell is to be granted in future, and these conditions will affect valuation. It is all laid out in the circular. I shall have great pleasure in sending a copy of the circular to the hon. Gentleman.