§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what provisions there were in the agreement reached between Irvine development corporation and Irvine housing association for the lease of development corporation properties for the eventual purchase of these properties by Irvine housing association; and how much money has been received by Irvine development corporation from Irvine housing association under this agreement.
§ Mr. StewartThe leases between Irvine development corporation and Irvine housing association contain an option to purchase. No sales have been finalised to date.
§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when the agreement was reached between Irvine development corporation and Irvine housing association for the lease by the association of the corporation's properties; and whether Scottish Office approval was sought and given for this agreement.
§ Mr. StewartThe agreement was reached in July 1994. There was no requirement to seek approval from the Scottish Office.
§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of how the rent levels for tenants of Irvine development corporation compare with the rent levels of tenants of Irvine housing association living in Irvine development corporation tenancies.
§ Mr. StewartNone. This is not a matter for my right hon. Friend.
§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 17 January,Official Report, column 468, if he will make a statement giving further information about how the money spent by Irvine development corporation on the Irvine housing association has been spent.
§ Mr. StewartThe expenditure by Irvine development corporation has met start-up costs of Irvine housing association. These have comprised consultancy fees, staffing and the fitting out of the association's offices.
§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 17 January,Official Report, column 468, how much rental income Irvine housing association has collected on behalf of Irvine development corporation; and how much the Irvine housing association has recovered from Irvine development corporation to offset its management and maintenance costs.
§ Mr. StewartThe total rents remitted by Irvine housing association were £94,300 as at 31 December 1994. The association has not yet incurred costs on management and maintenance expenditure.
§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the right to buy of the tenants occupying the Irvine development corporation properties leased to Irvine housing association has been altered by their current tenancy status.
§ Mr. StewartNo tenanted stock has been leased by Irvine development corporation to Irvine housing association. There were therefore no tenancy agreements to be altered. The tenancy agreements offered by Irvine housing association are a matter for the association.
§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many vacant properties Irvine development830W corporation has let during each of the last five financial years.
§ Mr. StewartThe information is shown in the table:
Number 1989–90 418 1990–91 378 1991–92 404 1992–93 372 1993–94 311
§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many residential properties Irvine development corporation expects to lease to Irvine housing association prior to the start of the process of balloting its tenants on the disposal of the housing stock.
§ Mr. StewartApproximately 300 houses.
§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which housing associations other than Irvine housing association have indicated an interest to Irvine development corporation in bidding for its properties prior to the corporation's wind-up.
§ Mr. StewartIrvine development corporation will shortly be seeking expressions of interest.
§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what involvement he will have in making the decision on the possible purchase of the properties currently leased by Irvine housing association from Irvine development corporation.
§ Mr. StewartIn terms of the guidance issued by the Scottish Office to the development corporations for the disposal of housing, my right hon. Friend will be asked to approve the sale only if the corporation proposes to accept a price below the valuation of the district valuer.
§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when the Irvine housing association offered to purchase housing stock from Irvine development corporation; and when he expects Irvine development corporation to make a decision on this offer.
§ Mr. StewartThe offer to purchase was received by Irvine development corporation on 12 January 1995. The timing of the corporation's decision on it is a matter for the corporation.
§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 17 January,Official Report, column 468, which of the 183 Irvine development corporation properties leased by Irvine housing association are not the subject of a purchase offer by Irvine housing association to Irvine development corporation.
§ Mr. StewartThe 23 houses leased to Irvine housing association after the date on which the district valuer was instructed to value the 160 houses currently under offer are not currently the subject of a purchase offer. Irvine housing association is expected to include the 23 houses in a future bid for Irvine development corporation stock.