§ Mr. Tilleyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to stop the Greater London Council from selling off those houses in outer London which have previously been available for families who wish to transfer from the less attractive Greater London Council blocks in inner London.
§ Mr. ArmstrongOur policy, which was reaffirmed by my right hon. Friend in our recent debate on housing, is that local authorities should exercise responsibly the freedom given them to make decisions about the sale of council houses, and we expect those in areas of housing stress to use that power with the utmost restraint. We are keeping a watch on the way in which authorities exercise the discretion which the general ministerial consent gives them and we will act if necessary.