§ Mr. Spellerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will encourage district councils which for reasons of staff shortage cannot keep up with the processing of council house purchase applications to put this work out to surveyors or estate agents in the private sector.
§ Mr. StanleyYes. Local authorities have already been told in a letter from the Department dated 22 September 1980 that my right hon. Friend considers that there is very considerable scope for them to use the services of private sector solicitors and valuers in carrying out their obligations under the right to buy provisions of the Housing Act 1980. This advice still stands.