HC Deb 04 February 1997 vol 289 cc793-4
16. Dr. Spink

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local authorities have transferred their housing stock to new landlords. [12516]

Mr. Curry

Fifty-three local authorities have transferred more than 230,000 homes, generating more than £3.7 billion of private investment. I announced at the end of last month the 1997 programme, in which a further 17 authorities will transfer all or part of their housing. The programme includes some 55,000 homes and will generate another £350 million in capital receipts.

Dr. Spink

Has it not been proved beyond question that tenants in deprived and rundown local authority housing estates are far better served in every way by non-profit-making landlords? Will my hon. Friend denounce my local council housing committee, which will not speak to my local housing tenants' association?

Mr. Curry

We have sufficient evidence on transfers to know that tenants like them and that they work in their interests. In addition, tenants have to vote for them. Local authorities should be more interested in service and less in ownership. The case for local authority home ownership is long past, and we must look towards a more sensible arrangement.

Mr. Raynsford

Does the Minister accept that, while there may be a case in certain circumstances for transfers of stock to increase investment, they will not create any new homes? Will he admit to the House—as his hon. Friend the Under-Secretary did in an earlier answer—that the Government have abandoned the target that he gave to the Select Committee only a year ago of 60,000 new lettings? The Government cannot achieve that figure, they have broken yet another promise and they have sold out and betrayed the homeless and the badly housed in this country.

Mr. Curry

That is a piece of nonsense. The hon. Gentleman should accept that there is an extremely good case for transfers—his own local authority is one of our transfer authorities, and is trying to transfer houses on the Charlton triangle in Greenwich. Instead of being mealy-mouthed about this, he should recognise that, unless he is willing to pour large public sums into housing—his hon. Friend the Member for Oldham, West (Mr. Meacher) may be, the shadow Chancellor says that he will not and he himself says that he would like to, but does not know how—he should concentrate on doing what is possible, which is improving the conditions of those who live in council houses, and liberating them from local authority control.