§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he has taken to monitor the progress of the London borough of Greenwich council in implementing the right-to-buy legislation for its tenants; whether he is satisfied with the council's performance; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. StanleyThe council's progress is being monitored monthly and my right hon. Friend and I had a further meeting with representatives of the council on 17 March. My right hon. Friend is still not satisfied with the performance of the London borough of Greenwich and the council remains under warning that he is contemplating giving notice of his intention to use his powers under section 23 of the Housing Act 1980. In addition to the council's general progress on the right to buy, the Department has taken up with the council the reasonableness of the terms of its standard form of conveyance, its policy on the levying of service charges and its denial of the tenant's right to buy his garage in a number of cases. These issues are still under discussion with the council but the council has agreed to modify its conveyances in certain respects and its position on garages in particular cases.