§ 13. Sir Ralph HowellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many tenants bought their homes under the right-to-buy legislation in the last year for which figures are available. [10380]
§ Mr. Robert B. JonesBetween October 1994 and September 1995, local authorities and new towns in England reported total sales under the right-to-buy legislation of almost 36,000 homes, while corresponding sales by housing associations totalled almost 700.
§ Sir Ralph HowellI thank my hon. Friend for that reply and congratulate the Government on the success and popularity of their right-to-buy policy. Is not it remarkable that, after all these years, we are still selling more than 100 houses a day?
§ Mr. JonesThe only thing on which I would disagree with my hon. Friend is that it is remarkable. Our policy matches the aspirations of the British public, which is why the Conservative party has been in power since 1979 and the Labour party has been in opposition.
§ Mr. BettsWill the Minister confirm that, as an extension of the right-to-buy scheme, the Government introduced a rent-to-mortgage scheme in 1993? Will he also confirm that, by the end of 1995, only 13 houses had been sold under the rent-to-mortgage scheme, at a total cost in promotion of £140,000 of taxpayers' money? Is that not another example of the inefficiency and ineffectiveness of a failed Government and their failed policies?
§ Mr. JonesI can certainly confirm that the hon. Gentleman is critical of every policy that we adopt to give ordinary people a chance to own their home. Over the 772 years, many Labour councillors, and some Labour Members, have taken advantage of the right to buy. The carping attitude of the hon. Gentleman and others is a disgrace.