§ 20. Mr. Stephen Rossasked 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. HeseltineA 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. RossIs 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. HeseltineAs the hon. Member knows, this scheme is in its infancy. It is an interesting scheme. I believe that 1524 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.