§ Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he plans to introduce legislation to enable tenants with private landlords to purchase their homes at discounts of the type being proposed for council tenants; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. StanleyNo. Because private landlords, unlike local housing authorities, are not under a duty to meet the needs of their area by providing accommodation, such a measure would be likely to result in the removal from the private rented sector of a substantial proportion of the 500,000 or so new lettings and relettings each year, and would be most damaging to those in housing need.