HC Deb 18 October 1982 vol 29 cc8-9
11. Mr. Grist

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many council and housing association houses and flats have been sold to their occupying tenants in(a)Wales and(b)Cardiff; and how many have been applied for, under the right-to-buy provisions of the Housing Act 1980.

Mr. Wyn Roberts

At 30 June 1982, 15,308 council dwellings—including 83 flats—and one housing association dwelling had been sold in Wales. In Cardiff, 783 houses but no flats and one housing association dwelling have been sold.

Mr. Grist

In view of the falling mortgage rate, does my hon. Friend agree that this is an excellent time for people to start to buy their properties? Is he satisfied with the non-sale of flats by Cardiff city council? Does he intend to take any powers under the 1980 Act to end this state of affairs?

Mr. Roberts

I agree with my hon. Friend's first point.

I am generally dissatisfied with the progress that Cardiff and other local authorities have so far made on the sale of flats. There has been ample time to formulate appropriate levels of service charges, which has been the main reason given for the delay. I expect Cardiff city council, and all other councils that have been dilatory in this respect, to make offers without further delay to those qualified tenants who wish to buy the flats that they occupy. Should they not do so, my right hon. Friend will have no option but to consider the use of the powers available to him.