HC Deb 05 August 1971 vol 822 cc449-50W
Mr. Bob Brown

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation to prevent councils from demolishing existing council houses and selling the sites to private builders.

Mr. Peter Walker

No further legislation is necessary. It is for local housing authorities to decide how the housing needs of their districts may best be met.

Mr. Bob Brown

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, in view of the fact that the City of Newcastle upon Tyne Council has demolished a municipally-owned prefabricated site and is in process of selling the site to a private builder at a figure below that recommended by the District Valuer, what application has been submitted to him for consent under the Town and Country Planning Act, 1959, to such a sale; and what decision he has made.

Mr. Peter Walker

The Newcastle City Council consulted me last November about the sale of this land. My reply said that at that time there did not appear to be sufficient justification for going ahead.