§ Sir David SteelTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what measures are in place to ensure that the right-to-buy legislation is not exercised for profit motives by a resident's family instead of for genuine residency need;
(2) what measures are in place to ensure that the right-to-buy legislation does not deplete council housing stocks to nothing;
(3) what measures are in place to ensure that the right-to-buy legislation does not prevent those in real need to secure housing places from obtaining council places.
§ Mr. LangThe right-to-buy legislation has been an outstanding success in enabling thousands of public sector tenants to exercise the choice of becoming home owners rather than continuing to rent their homes.
Tenants who are buying their homes are free to make whatever financial arrangements they consider appropriate, subject to the right of the former landlord to recover some or all of the discount if the house is sold within three years of its initial purpose.
Local authorities will continue to be significant providers of housing for the foreseeable future. There is no question of council housing stocks being reduced to 953W nothing as a consequence of the right-to-buy legislation as there will always be tenants who are unable or unwilling to assume the responsibility of home ownership.
Local authorities are also free to invest the substantial capital receipts generated by the right-to-buy in improving their stocks or in new building to meet local housing needs if they consider it appropriate. In addition, local authorities can act in an enabling capacity in partnership with Scottish Homes, housing associations and the private sector to ensure that housing is available for those in need.