§ 16. Ms Oona King (Bethnal Green and Bow)What plans he has to introduce a single tenancy agreement in the social housing sector. [116158]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions(Mr. Chris Mullin)I invite my hon. Friend to stay and listen to the statement that my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister will be making in 10 minutes.
§ Ms KingI thank my hon. Friend for that kind invitation. I recognise that it might be a bit late to put in a bid for issues to be included in the housing Green Paper. However, does he agree that the introduction of a single tenancy would help to reassure council tenants and enhance their rights when they are offered transfers to community housing organisations, as those organisations are currently unable to offer secure tenancies?
§ Mr. MullinI am aware of the problem that has arisen in my hon. Friend's constituency, where some misinformation has been floating about. There is no practical difference between secure and assured tenancies apart from the right to buy, which is guaranteed under the transfer schemes. Some tenants have been misled on that. It is desirable in principle that there should be a single tenancy, but there are practical difficulties.