HC Deb 02 April 1968 vol 762 cc64-6W
67. Mr. Fortescue

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many housing societies did not submit schemes for approval by the Housing Corporation in 1966 and 1967; and what percentage this represents of the total number of housing societies in existence in each of those years.

Mr. MacColl

I regret that the information is not readily available.

68. Mr. Berry

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will advise the Housing Corporation to guarantee the deposits payable on the exchange of contracts for land purchased by housing societies.

Mr. MacColl

No.

69. Mr. Berry

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what instructions he has given to the Housing Corporation to prohibit cost-rent societies becoming co-ownership societies thus enabling their tenants to take advantage of the option mortgage scheme.

Mr. MacColl

None.

70. Mr. Percival

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how much interest on funds lent to housing societies to buy land was owed to the Exchequer at the latest available date; and what was the figure six months previously.

Mr. MacColl

The amount of interest due to the Exchequer for all Housing Corporation purposes was (for England only) as follows:

£
At 15th March, 1968 1,156,242
At 15th September, 1967 649,148

71. Mr. Grieve

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government from what source it is his policy that funds should be available to co-ownership housing societies to enable them to meet their financial obligations to make payments to outgoing co-owners.

Mr. MacColl

The new co-owner will have to acquire the outgoing co-owner's share. The payment for any appreciation in value would depend on the accumulation of liquid funds for the purpose.

72. Mr. Grieve

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what percentage of housing society schemes, including schemes where land purchase has not been completed but where contracts have been exchanged, do not carry third party insurance; and to what extent the Housing Corporation will make funds available to an uninsured housing society that incurs liability for damages.

Mr. MacColl

A housing society ought to act prudently within any rules laid down by the Housing Corporation from time to time. Such rules are part of the Corporation's detailed administration which my right hon. Friend thinks should be left to them.

73. Mr. Allason

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how much money has been paid out by the Housing Corporation to housing societies in each year since it was set up.

Mr. MacColl

The figures of loans on mortgage to Housing Societies in England, Wales and Scotland are:

£
1st September, 1964–31st March, 1965 Nil
1st April, 1965–31st March, 1966 2,569,722
1st April, 1966–31st March, 1967 6,397,943

74. Mr. Allason

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what percentage of sites on which district valuers' fees have been paid were subsequently acquired by housing societies since 1964.

Mr. MacColl

This is a matter of detailed administration for the Housing Corporation, who pay the district valuer's fees where they approve his acting on behalf of a housing society.

76. Mr. Eyre

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he is satisfied that the valuations of sites by district valuers for purchase by housing societies are sufficiently high to enable housing societies to compete effectively in the land market; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. MacColl

Yes, Sir; a housing society has to pay its way and produce a scheme with realistic rents.

78. Mr. Rossi

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what representations he has received about the adequacy of the sum allowed for the promotional and administrative expense of a housing society's scheme; and what plans he has to increase this sum.

Mr. MacColl

My right hon. Friend has received certain representations that the sums allowed by the Housing Corporation are not enough. Strict control over incidental expenses must be maintained to keep the scheme not only viable but also non-profit making.