HC Deb 30 October 1980 vol 991 cc338-9W
Mr. Hooley

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment why copies of Housing Booklet No. 2 "The Right to Buy" were distributed before the section of the Housing Act 1980, relating to the sale of public housing, became law.

Mr. Stanley

This booklet was distributed shortly before the right to buy provisions came into effect so that millions of council, new town and housing association tenants could be properly informed about their important new rights which commenced on 3 October.

Mr. Hooley

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment to which organisations, individuals or public authorities copies of the Housing Booklet No. 2 "The Right to Buy" have been circulated; how many copies have been printed; at what cost to public funds; and for what purpose.

Mr. Stanley

Two million copies of Housing Booklet No. 2 have been printed at a cost of £45,000. Copies were circulated to:

  • Members of Parliament with constituencies in England and Wales
  • District and county councils in England and Wales
  • London borough councils
  • The City of London
  • The Greater London Council
  • The council of the Isles of Scilly
  • Local authority associations
  • New town development corporations in England and Wales
  • The Development Board for Rural Wales
  • The Commission for New Towns
  • The Housing Corporation
  • National Federation of Housing Associations
  • National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux and local Citizens Advice Bureaux
  • Law centres
  • Local Government Training Board
  • Government Departments
  • Countryside Commission
  • House of Commons Library

The purpose of the booklet is to provide council, new town and housing association tenants with information and guidance on their important new right to buy their homes and on how to exercise it.