HC Deb 08 November 1978 vol 957 cc941-2
5. Mr. Adley

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has to assist tenants of local authorities who wish to buy their own houses but who are prevented from so doing by the policy of the local authority by which their houses are currently owned.

Mr. Shore

None, Sir. This is primarily a matter for decision by local authorities. Provided those decisions are taken responsibly in the light of local housing conditions and needs, I see no reason to intervene.

Mr. Adley

Has the right hon. Gentleman noticed that opposition to the sale to sitting tenants of the homes in which they live comes, on the one hand, from Socialists who are opposed to the principle of extending home ownership and on the other from Blimps who have never lived in a council house or do not understand the aspirations of those who do? [HON. MEMBERS: "Hear, hear."] Yes, indeed. Many of them are Tory councillors, people who do not understand the aspirations of those who live in council houses. If the Secretary of State believes in trying to help people attain their aspirations, will he do something to help them escape from the feudal grip of local authorities in this regard?

Mr. Shore

The hon. Gentleman's reference to the Conservative council in the New Forest being managed by Blimps is something which I should not wish to endorse at all. They seem to me to be a responsible group of men who have refused to follow the advice of the Opposition Front Bench to set out on the path of disposing of their council houses. They take the view that they have a certain obligation to examine the need for rented housing in their area, and in spite of what the hon. Gentleman has said, and in spite of what the hon. Member for Hornsey (Mr. Rossi) said at his party's annual conference, they have, I am glad to say, ignored that advice.

Mr. Speaker

May I appeal to the House. We are going very slowly today. Shorter supplementary questions and answers would be a great help.

Dr. McDonald

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the misery caused to families with children who are unable to move out of flats because of the Tory-controlled GLC's policy of indiscriminately selling off council houses and keeping many houses empty for that purpose? What action does my right hon. Friend propose to take to discourage that?

Mr. Shore

I am disturbed by the reports that I have received on one or two areas including, in particular, the London area. The first action that I had to take regarding the GLC was to stamp on a most extraordinary scheme which would have given any tenant a 10-year option to buy in exchange for £10. That proposal was designed not merely to assist local authorities but to bind the succeeding GLC when it came under Labour control. I had to put a stop to that.

I repeat that I am examining the housing investment programmes, particularly as they are coming forward this year, and if I see occasion and reason to act I am prepared to do so.