§ Mr. Ovendenasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has received from the Greater London Council to offer 10 year options to council tenants to buy the houses in which they live; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ShoreThe GLC has not approached me with details of such a proposal. As I am at present advised, there must be considerable doubt whether the GLC has powers to grant options as it is reportedly proposing. Furthermore, there are a number of provisions under which ministerial consent is required to the sale or leasing of council houses; and in so far as existing ministerial consents might be construed as authorising the granting of options of this kind I would intend to amend them so as to exclude such options.