§ Mr. SoleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many tenants' choice transfers of housing stock have been agreed under the Housing Act 1989; and where they are located;
(2) how many tenants' choice transfers of housing stock have been attempted unsuccessfully under the Housing Act 1985; and where they are located;
(3) how many tenants' choice transfers of housing stock have been attempted unsuccessfully under the Housing Act 1988; and where they are located;
(4) how many tenants' choice transfers under the Housing Act 1988 are pending.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerThe term "tenants' choice", is used to refer only to transfers of housing stock under part IV of the Housing Act 1988, as amended by the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. One formal application has been made to acquire property under those provisions, on the Walterton and Elgin estate, Westminster. That application is still in progress.
§ Mr. SoleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many transfers of housing stock have been made made under the Housing Act 1985; and where they are located.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerSections 32 and 43 of the Housing Act 1985 give powers to local authorities to dispose of 189W housing and housing land and relate to a wide range of disposals. Where a disposal takes place under a general consent, the authority is under no obligation to inform the Department that the disposal has taken place.
Among the disposals to which consent has been given under these powers are voluntary transfers by five authorities of most or all of their housing. The authorities are: Broadland district council; Chiltern district council; Newbury district council; Sevenoaks district council; and Swale borough council.
§ Mr. SoleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many transfers under the Housing Act 1985 are pending.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is currently considering six applications from local authorities to transfer tenanted housing to new landlords.