§ 17. Mr. Steenasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is Her Majesty's Government's policy on homesteading; and if he will make a statement as to the number of units homesteaded in England and Wales in each of the last three years.
§ Sir George YoungWe introduced homesteading to enable local authorities to dispose of substandard properties at advantageous terms, to people prepared to improve them. It remains a useful low cost route to home ownership for those who are able and willing to carry out the necessary work, which we wish to encourage.
In England for the last three financial years for which figures are available the number of disposals notified to us under Homesteading schemes has been:
Number 1982–83 1,500 1983–84 980 1984–85 860 Homesteading in Wales is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.