§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the conformity with local government legislation and procedures of(a) a district council's housing officer to serve as secretary to the board of the local housing association and (b) a district council and local housing association retaining the same legal advisers when housing stock is to be transferred between them; and if he will make a statement. [26683]
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonIt is common and accepted practice for a local authority sponsoring a new housing association in its area to provide services in kind to the association until it becomes a viable organisation. As to the question of conflict of interest in the case of legal advisers, it is up to both parties and their legal advisers to ensure that such a problem does not arise. If the ballot of tenants results in a vote in favour of transfer to the association, I would expect the parties to engage separate legal advisers to negotiate terms and conditions.