HC Deb 12 December 1979 vol 975 cc686-7W
40. Mr. Guy Barnett

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if local authorities will be permitted to purchase assets in their areas which are to be disposed of by new town development corporations.

Mr. Stanley

The disposal of new town assets helps to reduce the public sector borrowing requirement. This would not be achieved if the assets were purchased by local authorities, and we would not normally favour such sales.