HC Deb 15 May 1975 vol 892 cc640-1
11. Mr. Dunlop

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is Her Majesty's Government's policy in relation to rural labourers' cottages throughout Northern Ireland.

Mr. Concannon

After a review of policy on the sale of Housing Executive dwellings, my right hon. Friend has decided that, in general, dwellings should be sold only in areas where the demand for rented accommodation has been met. However, I acknowledge that labourers' cottages form a special category and my right hon. Friend is now prepared to authorise the Housing Executive to sell these dwellings in all areas.

Mr. Dunlop

I thank the Minister for his answer, but I should like to ask him about the cost of the cottages. I believe it is a well-known fact that some families have been living in them for generations and have paid for them twice over in rent. In fixing the cost of these dwellings, can consideration be given to the ability of the tenants to pay if they want to buy them? Will a scheme be initiated that will help them to pay for them over a period? Is that the Government's policy in this direction?

Mr. Concannon

As regards the first part of the hon. Gentleman's question, that is one of the reasons for these dwellings not being part of the normal housing stock as we see it. That is why the decision to sell them has been taken. The price will be the normal market value as assessed by the Commissioner of Valuation, but we are considering the points that the hon. Gentleman has made and we will probably be coming back to this matter later. In the first instance, we would expect the people concerned to go to the building societies. If that approach is not successful, the Housing Executive will be authorised to create a mortgage on the property.

Mr. Kilfedder

Does the Minister realise that the valuation is set by the district valuer at a figure which only the wealthy can afford and which the ordinary people who occupy the cottages and who would like to buy them have no hope of paying? Will the Minister graduate the selling price to a sitting tenant in accordance with the length of his tenancy? Will he consider this approach?

Mr. Concannon

The average price to the sitting tenant in 1973 was £594. In 1974 it was £767. In 1973 the range was between £250 and £1,825, and in 1974 it was between £170 and £2,700. Therefore, I do not think that there will be a great deal of difficulty in selling the dwellings.