§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will circulate in the Official Report the details of the methods by which 54,000 council houses are to be sold off in Northern Ireland, and indicate the total savings per year which it is estimated these sales of council houses will mean for public expenditure, local and national.
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§ Mr. Carter,pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 2 February 1979; Vol. 961, c. 569], gave the following information
It was decided in 1975 that the Housing Executive would be allowed to offer dwellings for sale in those areas where housing need had been met. On 29 January this year the Executive announced those areas where houses would be offered for sale. Old person's dwellings, flats and maisonettes are not to be sold.
Sales are at market value assuming vacant possession, and prices are determined by the valuation division of the Northern Ireland Department of Finance. Improvements carried out by tenants are taken into account and conditions are imposed on resale within 5 years. A discount is granted based on length of tenancy. The Executive is writing to tenants in the areas concerned giving details of the sale terms.
It is not possible to estimate the financial impact of sales until the response of tenants is known.