HC Deb 22 April 2002 vol 384 cc46-7W
Ms Oona King

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) published on the right to buy scheme since I May 1997. [49914]

Ms Keeble

Three research projects have been commissioned:

  1. (i) The impact of the February 1999 changes to limits on Right to Buy discounts.
  2. (ii) Exploitation of the Right to Buy scheme by companies.
  3. (iii) A review of the system for valuing properties for Right to Buy purposes.

Results from these projects will be made publicly available when the work is completed.

Ms Oona King

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what information he has collated on the activities of commercial property companies offering local authority tenants a cash incentive to exercise the right to buy their home. [50917]

Ms Keeble

We are aware of anecdotal evidence of a number of abuses of the RTB by companies, particularly in London. We have commissioned research into what is happening, including the extent and type of such 'abuses' and the effect on the housing market. The results will be made publicly available when the work is completed.

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