§ Mr. Silvesterasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a further statement about the steps he intends to take to ensure that council tenants do not lose their right to buy as a result of the transfer of their homes to housing associations.
§ Mr. StanleyThe present general consent permits the sale by local authorities to registered housing associations of council houses within general improvement areas, housing action areas and priority neighbourhoods. One reason for this is to ensure the most flexible use of housing stock, especially of houses which need improving. Under the legislation proposed in the Housing Bill, tenants of housing associations which are charities will not have the right to buy their homes. It is possible, therefore, that present tenants of council houses which local authorities transfer to such associations could be in danger of losing their right to buy. I have therefore amended the general consent to ensure that sales of occupied dwellings to housing associations require the Secretary of State's specific approval. Unoccupied houses in the areas in question can, of course, be transferred as at present.