HC Deb 11 April 1989 vol 150 cc450-1W
Mr. Faulds

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what were the costs of the examination of the Windmill lane estate in Sandwell for its inclusion in the housing action trust programme.

Mr. Trippier

The total cost of the Sandwell housing action trust study completed on 1 December 1988 will not be known until all claims from the consultants have been settled by the Department. We expect the final cost to be less than £105,000, including VAT. The costs of examining the Windmill lane estate, which was one of four covered by the study, are not separately identifiable.

Mr. Faulds

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what were the costs of examination of the Cape Hill area of Smethwick for its possible inclusion in the housing action trust programme; and what will be the additional costs for the further examination of that area for treatment under the programme.

Mr. Trippier

The Sandwell housing action trust study included an examination of the Windmill lane estate but not of the wider Cape Hill area. For the reasons set out in their report the consultants recommended that a second study should be carried out to examine some further areas. This study is now in progress; the cost of the contract is commercially confidential.

Mr. George Howarth

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many requests he has received to set up housing action trusts by(a) local authorities, (b) resident associations, (c) tenants' groups or associations, (d) urban renewal agencies and (e) amenity groups; and if he will list them.

Mr. Trippier

We have received a number of inquiries from local authorities, tenants and other residents interested in the establishment of housing action trusts. It is for them to decide whether to make their informal approaches public. The latest position on the currently proposed trusts was set out in my right hon. Friend's reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Wyre (Mr. Mans) on 16 March at column322.

Mr. George Howarth

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many housing action trusts he expects to be in place in 1989, 1990, 1991 and 1992.

Mr. Trippier

I refer the hon. Member to the answer my right hon. Friend gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Wyre (Mr. Mans) on 16 March at column 322. It will be for the individual tenants to decide whether they want my right hon. Friend to seek Parliament's approval to orders setting up housing action trusts.