§ 5. Mr. McMasterTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next plans to meet representatives of tenants' organisations to discuss housing needs in Scotland.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonMy right hon. Friend has no plans to meet tenants' organisations to discuss housing needs in Scotland and it is for local authorities to assess the housing needs of their areas. I often meet tenants and hear their concerns at first hand and Scottish Office officials regularly meet housing authorities to discuss their assessment of housing needs.
§ Mr. McMasterDoes the Minister agree that the recent Scottish Homes survey into house conditions in Scotland is a damning indictment of the current hopeless housing policy? At a time when thousands of Scots live in clamp, decaying and often derelict houses, why does he concentrate all his energies on trying to get Scottish Homes tenants to opt out of the public sector? Will he take the opportunity today to make it clear to tenants that they can choose Scottish Homes as a landlord, and will he ensure that Scottish Homes lets those tenants know that? While he is at it, will he also give them the real democratic choice of 278 opting for district councils as landlord?
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonFirst, as far as the national house condition survey is concerned, the facts must be seen in perspective. The costs are 3 per cent. only of the total market value of the stock, which is about £88,000 million. I recognise that putting all that right, especially in relation to condensation and damp, will take some years, but substantial resources of £527 million have been made available to local authorities this year. Much will also be done by private landlords and owner-occupiers and there is about £372 million of funding for Scottish Homes.
As far as choice is concerned, Scottish Homes' purpose as a national housing development agency is to play an increasing enabling role in assistance for local authorities. As to choice for tenants at the ballots, for practical operating reasons Scottish Homes has decided that the ballot paper will contain two options. The hon. Gentleman is correct that tenants can opt to reject the choice if that is their wish, but the best possible choice will be put before them, they will be involved in the sifting process beforehand and the wish of the majority will prevail. Any tenant who feels strongly opposed to transfer can make his views known during the consultation process and suggest other options. In addition, tenants will have the opportunity to make representations directly to the Secretary of State, who has to approve any voluntary disposal once it is cleared by the majority.
§ Sir Nicholas FairbairnCan my hon. Friend advise the House how many tens of thousands of houses in the possession of local authorities are unoccupied?
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonI can tell my hon. and learned Friend that the census revealed that about 98,000 houses are vacant and, of those, fewer than 30,000 are public sector stock. We are carefully considering the issue of empty housing and we are engaged in a number of prospective initiatives to bring empty housing back into use.
§ Mr. Menzies CampbellThe Minister will be aware that the Ministry of Defence proposes to transfer service housing to a housing trust. Would it not make more sense for service housing to be transferred to local housing associations so that once service needs have been met any additional housing can be made available to meet local needs?
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonI discussed the subject yesterday with the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence. A considerable number of houses that were surplus to requirements have already been sold. A housing trust will be set up, but, of course, housing association activity can be involved only where the price is reasonable as far as the housing associations are concerned. Obviously, if the price is not reasonable it would be unfair to press Scottish Homes unduly when local authorities have a great many other priorities in Scotland. I can assure the hon. and learned Gentleman that rapid progress is being made in Scotland and I am glad to confirm that.
§ Mr. McKelveyNevertheless the Minister will recall, with joy, I am sure, his visit to Kilmarnock last week when he saw for himself the progressive work of the Kilmarnock 279 and Loudoun district council on housing business. Officials told him then that there is a desire among tenants now in Scottish Homes houses to transfer directly to that council. We seek an extension of democracy, so that all the choices are available to tenants. It would save time and money if those choices were given to tenants now.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonIt will, of course, be for Scottish Homes to decide whether there are special housing circumstances which would make the local authority an appropriate alternative landlord. I expect that in coming to a conclusion Scottish Homes will weigh three factors—the number of properties involved, their location, and the percentage of houses already held by local authorities. I must point out to the hon. Gentleman that his local council already has a relatively high percentage of the stock in his constituency. No doubt that will be one of the factors that Scottish Homes will weigh during the process.