§ Mr. Shersbyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what restrictions have been imposed on the operation of the scheme operated by housing associations with the approval of the Housing Corporation whereby eligible tenants can buy suitable privately owned property on the open market with the aid of a discount, and why; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir George YoungAs present, only those eligible tenants whose applications were received before 23 August 1985 are being given approval to look for a property to buy. This is because of the popularity of the scheme and because, unlike the right-to-buy discounts, those available to tenants of charitable housing associations impose a direct cost on public funds which has to be accommodated within the Housing Corporation's cash limited approved development programme. Further funds have now been made available for the current financial year and we are reviewing with the Housing Corporation the possibility, of lifting restrictions on the later applicants who have been placed on a waiting list.