§ 7.21 p.m.
§ Viscount Goschen rose to move, That the draft order laid before the House on 10th December be approved [15th Report from the Joint Committee].
§ The noble Viscount said: My Lords, the essence of the housing action trust, known as the HAT, is a good working relationship between all interested parties. Particularly important is the role of the tenants, who have to be willing to vote for the HAT to enable it to go ahead. That depends on a full process of consultation before the ballot and of participation afterwards in the work of the HAT. I am pleased to be able to report to the House that all this has been fully reflected in the Liverpool proposal.
§ The Liverpool HAT designation order is the third to come before the House. It is different from the first two HATs in Hull and Waltham Forest in that it deals with a type of housing spread throughout the city of Liverpool rather than a particular geographical area. That type is the tower block. In all, Liverpool City Council currently manages 71 tower blocks built between 1958 and 1971. In July and August, tenants voted on the HAT proposal on a site-by-site basis. Tenants in 67 blocks on 35 sites, comprising some 5,300 homes, voted in favour. Tenants in four blocks voted to stay with the council.
§ The effect of the order will be: to designate the curtilages of the 67 tower blocks on 35 sites together with an additional seven areas of council land which will be needed for rehousing purposes; and to establish the housing action trust for that designated area. The HAT may require a small number of further parcels of land in private ownership. The HAT will be consulting with the owners about these sites and, if necessary, we will return to the House with amendments to this order.
§ The priority for the Liverpool HAT after designation is to continue the preparation of 415 proposals for its capital programme, and to prepare for the formal transfer of properties. We expect that to be at the end of the summer.
§ I hope your Lordships will recognise the essential role of housing action trusts in tackling the very worst problems in the local authority stock and I commend the draft order to the House. I beg to move.
416§ Moved, That the draft order laid before the House on 10th December be approved [15th Report from the Joint Committee]. —(Viscount Goschen.)
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.
§ House adjourned at 25 minutes past seven o'clock.