HC Deb 02 July 1980 vol 987 cc1523-4
20. Mr. Stephen Ross

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will take steps to encourage the transfer of public land to private builders on a leasehold basis, similar to the scheme recently announced for Belfast.

Mr. Heseltine

A number of authorities in England have already undertaken or are considering undertaking partnership schemes with builders. As part of my drive to promote low-cost home ownership I am already encouraging all housing authorities to consider promoting such schemes to help meet the housing needs of their area.

Mr. Ross

Is the Secretary of State aware of the scheme in Northern Ireland whereby the land will be let on a leasehold basis to builders and then the freehold will be transferred later to the purchaser by the housing authority in Northern Ireland? Is that not an ideal scheme to keep down the costs of new houses, for first-time buyers in particular?

Mr. Heseltine

As the hon. Member knows, this scheme is in its infancy. It is an interesting scheme. I believe that something not dissimilar in principle is under way in Liverpool. Of course I shall watch experiments of this sort, and, wherever possible, I shall encourage them.