HC Deb 23 June 1997 vol 296 c407W
Mr. Robert McCartney

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will amend the rules of the Housing Executive preventing sales of ground floor dwellings to those becoming tenants after the age of 60 years so as to permit house sales in certain circumstances. [3829]

Mr. Murphy

This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and its Chief Executive has advised me that in August 1996 the Housing Executive Board reviewed this aspect of its house sales policy. It decided not to change the scheme because the present policy achieved the necessary balance between the competing needs of tenants who require an adequate supply of such accommodation and potential purchasers who wish to buy their homes.