HC Deb 19 May 1982 vol 24 cc349-50
22. Mr. Marlow

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local authorities are proceeding with the sale of council houses at a satisfactory rate.

Mr. Stanley

Most authorities now appear to be making satisfactory progress, but a number have been told in recent weeks that my right hon. Friend expects them to accelerate their rate of completion substantially. All complaints of delay from individual tenants are being pursued with the authorities concerned.

Mr. Marlow

As this policy has been a tremendous boon to many people who otherwise would not have the opportunity of owning their houses, and as it has improved the environment in which people live in many parts of our cities and elsewhere, will my hon. Friend think of further ideas for accelerating this valuable and worthwhile scheme?

Mr. Stanley

My hon. Friend is right. It is significant, and of great benefit, that until the end of last year about a quarter of a million council dwellings had been moved into owner occupation during the lifetime of the Government. That is a social advance of great significance and we hope to see that advance accelerated.

Mr. Bidwell

Is the hon. Gentleman's Department monitoring council house sales to the extent of ascertaining how many money borrowers have fallen down on their repayments and cannot keep up mortgage payments? The economic situation has led those people astray.

Mr. Stanley

Many hundreds of thousands of tenants have successfully purchased their homes over the years and I am not aware of any statistical basis for suggesting that there is a greater number of defaulters among purchasers from local authorities as opposed to the majority of owner occupiers.