HC Deb 15 March 1982 vol 20 cc8-9
8. Mr. Delwyn Williams

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many public sector tenants had completed the puchase of their homes by 31 December 1981 under the provisons of the Housing Act 1980; and how many offer notices have now been issued.

The Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Wyn Roberts)

A total of 8, 086 sales had been completed by 31 December 1981, against 26, 188 offer notices issued.

Mr. Williams

Does my hon. Friend recognise the fact that almost 56 per cent. of the people of Britain now own their own houses, which is a great step towards a property-owing democracy? [HON. MEMBERS: "Reading."] I compliment my hon. Friend on the efforts of the Welsh people to that end, but will he now confirm completion dates for those properties—[HON. MEMBERS: "Reading."]—that had notice served on them prior to 3 April 1981? When will they now be completed?

Mr. Roberts

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his compliments. The sale of council houses has been a great success in Wales. As to his request that we should fix a date for completions, he will know that that is very much under consideration.

Mr. D. E. Thomas

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Is it in order for the hon. Member for Montgomery (Mr. Williams) to read from a piece of paper recently handed to him by the hon. Member for Anglesey (Mr. Best)?

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Gentleman was raising his eyes a great deal.

Mr. Hooson

Will my hon. Friend publish a league table on the performance of the various district councils in respect of the sale of council houses, and in particular the average completion time for each district council?

Mr. Roberts

We publish lists of local authorities, which are placed in the Library, which give an analysis of their position on council house sales.

Mr. Alec Jones

If the hon. Gentleman is so concerned about the completion time for the sale of council houses, why is he not equally concerned about the time that it will take for the 25, 000 people in Wales who are waiting for council houses to get the chance of having homes of their own?

Mr. Roberts

I am concerned about waiting lists. I have more than once stressed in the House that local authorities that have benefited through capital receipts from council house sales should apply those receipts to increasing housing provision.