HC Deb 10 June 1981 vol 6 cc387-8
1. Mr. Stoddart

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received concerning the exclusion of council houses of unique historical and architectural interest and importance from the sale of council house provisions of the Housing Act 1980.

The Under-Secretary of State for the Environment (Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg)

As the hon. Member knows, the Department has received a number of representations about the railway village, Swindon. The Department has also received one general representation on this topic and specific representations from the hon. Member and local authority concerned in two other cases: some cottages in Bedfordshire and some listed buildings in Bath.

Mr. Stoddart

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that I am pleased that he is to come to Swindon to see the railway village built by Brunel and to hear local opinions on why it should not go out of local authority control? Is he also aware that I would prefer him not to come to Swindon naked—I am sure that he looks nice naked, but I hope that he will not come naked of ideas—and that I hope that he will be able to persuade his right hon. and hon. Friends to amend the Act so that the railway village can remain in local authority ownership?

Mr. Finsberg

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his first remarks. I can only assure him that, unlike some members of the Labour Party, I do not propose to be sent to the conference chamber naked.

Mr. Latham

Whatever the merits of particular exclusions, does my hon. Friend accept that all Conservative Members want to see as many council houses as possible included and sold, particularly where local authorities are refusing to do so?

Mr. Finsberg

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Proctor

Further to the question of my hon. Friend the Member for Melton (Mr. Latham), what reassurance can my hon. Friend give to the House that some council houses will not become of unique historical and architectural interest before some Labour authorities sell to tenants, including the London borough of Waltham Forest?

Mr. Finsberg

I hope that my hon. Friend will accept that the determination with which my hon. Friend the Minister for Housing and Construction is proceeding will give that guarantee to tenants.