§ Mr. Higginsasked the Secretary of State for Transport whether any of the houses purchased along the preferred route for the development of the A27 in the Worthing area were let on terms which prevent them being offered for sale with vacant possession; if so, how many of them were let on such terms; and what he estimates the loss to public funds is now that they are being offered for sale.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeHouses owned by my Department are let on terms which allow us to regain possession when they are needed for roadworks. Although the statutory right to buy does not apply to them, it is now our policy to offer houses which become surplus to sitting tenants on terms which reflect their tenancies.
All houses acquired for the A27 development in Worthing were let on the same terms. Individual sale prices will be a matter for negotiation and it is too early to say what they may be.