HC Deb 22 April 1985 vol 77 c613
9. Mr. Knox

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many council houses have been sold to sitting tenants in Wales since May 1979.

Mr. Wyn Roberts

A total of 41,166 council dwellings were sold to sitting tenants in Wales between May 1979 and 31 December 1984. In addition, 2,374 dwellings were sold by the Cwmbran development corporation and Mid-Wales development.

Mr. Knox

To what extent have local authorities benefited financially from those sales of council houses?

Mr. Roberts

Between March 1980 and December 1984 net receipts from sales amounted to about £177 million, which has enabled housing investment programme allocations to be increased and has given local authorities the scope to enhance their programmes from the portion of receipts that they are allowed to retain.

Mr. Anderson

Does the Minister not feel just a little annoyance at the Conservative party's obsession with the sale of council houses and its lack of concern about the construction of council houses to meet the great demand that we have in Wales?

Mr. Roberts

The hon. Gentleman knows only too well that the sale of council houses does not affect the totality of the stock that is available. He also knows that those who are buying their council houses would otherwise have remained as sitting tenants. The success of our campaign to sell council houses clearly shows the desire of people in Wales to own their own homes.