HC Deb 27 June 1979 vol 969 cc228-9W
7. Mr. Stephen Ross

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, before introducing legislation compelling local authorities to sell council houses to tenants who apply to purchase, he will arrange for his Department to prepare statistics of the numbers on local authority housing waiting lists so identifying those areas of the country where the pressure is greatest.

Mr. Stanley

No. We shall, through the housing strategy and investment programmes submitted annually by authorities, be able to identify and direct resources towards where the need is greatest.

31. Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the proposed sale of council houses.

Mr. Heseltine

The hon. Member will find a statement in my speech of 17 May during the debate on the Address.—[Vol. 967, c.396.]

36. Mr. Kenneth Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he has had with the local authority representatives regarding the sale of council houses.

45. Sir Anthony Meyer

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will hold discussions with those local authorities which find it difficult to sell council houses to sitting tenants because of the small stock of council houses at their disposal and the pressure on that stock arising from the Housing (Homeless Persons) Act.

Mr. Heseltine

I am arranging to meet the housing consultative council on 4 July when there will be an opportunity for a wide range of discussion with local authority representatives on future housing policies.

46. Mr. Douglas-Mann

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment under what statutory authority he intends to impose conditions which would empower local authorities to disregard their general duty only to sell their assets, particularly council houses, at the best price available.

Mr. Stanley

The present powers are sections 26(4) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1959 and section 104(1) and (2) of the Housing Act 1957 which enable consent to be given to the disposal by local authorities of certain land for a consideration less than the best consideration which can reasonably be obtained.