§ Mr. TrotterTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress he is making towards the establishment of a housing action trust for Sunderland.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerFollowing consultations with the tenants and after discussions with Sunderland borough council, my right hon. Friend has decided to proceed to a ballot of the tenants on the proposals to set up a housing action trust for the Downhill, Town End Farm, Hylton Castle and part of Red House estates in Sunderland. The ballot, which will be a postal ballot conducted by the Electoral Reform Society, will take place between 12 March and 4 April. The Electoral Reform Society will be writing shortly to the tenants of these estates, setting out the arrangements for the ballot.