HC Deb 06 August 1980 vol 990 c596

Lords Amendment: No. 1, in page 3, line 14, at end insert— or (c) has at no time received a grant under section 119(3) of the 1957 Act, section 29, 31, 32 or 33 of the 1974 Act or under any enactment mentioned in paragraph 2 of Schedule 2 to that Act.

7.15 pm
The Minister for Housing and Construction (Mr. John Stanley)

I beg to move, That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said amendment.

The object of the amendment is to exclude from the right to buy housing associations that have never received public subsidy. The great majority of associations in this position are charities which have provided their housing from private donations rather than from public funds. They are already excluded from the right to buy by virtue of subsections (1) and (2)(a). There are, however, a handful of associations which are not charities and which have not received public subsidy. It has been put to us that such associations can scarcely be described as being in the public sector. We accept that view and this amendment therefore excludes them from the right to buy, although the associations concerned, as charities, will still be enabled to sell.

Mr. Gerald Kaufman (Manchester, Ardwick)

I congratulate the Minister on getting his tongue round that phraseology. I believe that he will find increasing difficulty as the night goes on. No one will think any the worse of him if he sounds as though he is lisping. It is difficult. I thank him for the concession. We regard this as important. My hon. Friend the Member for Lambeth, Central (Mr. Tilley), as the Minister will recall, was particularly concerned about it. We are pleased that the amendment is being made and accepted by the Government.

Question put and agreed to.

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