§ 8. Mr. Spencerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from the Leicester city council regarding the Housing and Planning Act 1986.
§ Mr. TraceyNone, Sir.
§ Mr. SpencerIs my hon. Friend aware that the city council has put out a glossy magazine at the ratepayers' 557 expense, entitled, "Estates for Sale"? It attacks the Act and gives council tenants the impression that their homes will be sold over their heads. Is that not a disgraceful publication, and does it not show that Leicester city council is at least working for the Labour party?
§ Mr. TraceyMy hon. and learned Friend is absolutely right, and I am glad that he has brought the matter to the attention of the House. I have the document here. As he said, it was published using ratepayers' money, and is entitled:
Estates for Sale?The Case Against Estate Sales in Leicester.We believe that that document is another blatant case of misrepresentation and misreporting of section 9. It is causing unnecessary worry to council tenants. My hon. Friend the Minister for Housing, Urban Affairs and Construction has made it absolutely clear that those tenants need fear nothing.
§ Mr. JannerIs the Minister not aware that that iniquitous Act is likely to take away tenants' rights, that there is no provision to prevent estates from being sold, even when all the tenants object to the sale, and that that excellent and accurate document informs the citizens of Leicester of the truth in a way that the Government do not like? That is why Conservative Members who represent Leicester protest against it. They have no interest in the disadvantaged and no interest in housing the citizens of that city.
§ Mr. TraceyI am sure that the people of Leicester will take note of the hon. and learned Gentleman's most intemperate outburst. I should make it quite clear that that sort of document consists of misrepresentation and misreporting. The hon. and learned Gentleman should not add to such nonsensical propaganda.