§ Mr. Harry GreenwayTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 4 May,Official Report, column 39, what proposals he has to ensure that housing associations purchase land at a price fixed by valuation; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. BaldryThe Housing Corporation has procedural requirements, laid down in its procedure guide, which housing associations have to follow when acquiring land.
Associations whose schemes are approved individually must acquire land at or less than the valuation set by an independent, qualified valuer within the procedures established by the Housing Corporation.
Associations whose development programme is approved on the basis of a cash programme must demonstrate that an independent qualified valuer has verified the basis for the negotiation on which the land purchase has been made. If these associations pay more than that valuation, they have to meet the extra cost from their own resources. The valuations must not be more than six months old at the date of exchange of contracts.