HC Deb 05 November 1975 vol 899 cc378-80
4. Mr. Michael Morris

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now lift the ban on the sale of new town houses to sitting tenants.

Mr. John Silkin

No, Sir.

Mr. Morris

That is a tragic answer. Why does the Minister persist in pursuing in Northampton and other development corporation areas a policy that is against the wishes of his own chairmen appointed by him, against his own general managers, and indeed against the desires of my tenants and my constituents? [HON. MEMBERS: "My tenants?"] Will the Minister just for once put aside party policy and bear in mind the wishes of the tenants in new towns who wish to buy their own homes?

Mr. Silkin

The problem that faced us in March last year was that under the previous Conservative administration the waiting list periods in all the new towns had reached intolerable proportions. To some extent this was a result of the sale of rented houses to sitting tenants under the doctrinaire policies of the Conservative Government. Up to 30 per cent. of the rented stock had been so sold. I shall be prepared to lift the ban when I know that the waiting list period has gone down sufficiently to enable those who are on waiting lists to benefit.

Mr. Moonman

Will the Minister confirm the date when legislation will be introduced to ensure the transfer of housing assets from the development corporations to local authorities—which has been Labour Party policy for many years and which has been given recent support by a Select Committee?

Mr. Silkin

The traditional answer is that I am sure my hon. Friend would not wish me to anticipate anything that may or may not be in the Queen's Speech.

Mr. Carlisle

Will the Minister confirm that all the chairmen of the new town development corporations have jointly asked him to remove this ban on the sale of council houses? If that is the case surely it is a matter that he should bear in mind. Furthermore, will he explain how, if a person remains in a new town house as an owner rather than a tenant, that makes any difference to the length of waiting list?

Mr. Silkin

Conversations between a Minister and the chairmen are confidential. I cannot confirm what the hon. and learned Gentleman said, because it is not strictly true. In regard to his second point, can he explain to me—although I appreciate that he is not allowed to do so now, but I hope that he will take the opportunity to explain on some other occasion—how it is possible to increase the stock when one is selling off rented accommodation?

Mrs. Hayman

Will the Minister continue to reject suggestions from Opposition spokesmen that will do nothing to add to the stock of rented accommodation which is needed in new towns? Instead, will he concentrate on making sure that the Bill to transfer housing assets and housing-related assets from the Commission to democratically-responsible local authorities will take priority next Session?

Mr. Silkin

I am grateful for the support my hon. Friend has given, and I shall bear her second suggestion strongly in mind.

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