HC Deb 25 June 1979 vol 969 cc41-2W
Sir Donald Kaberry

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the Government's attitude towards the sale by local authorities of council flats, whether maisonettes or high-rise flats, to occupiers of 20 years' tenancy or over.

Mr. Stanley

Under the consent issued on 18 May local authorities are able to sell flats of any type to occupiers of 20 years' tenancy or over at a discount of up to 50 per cent.

Mr. Shersby

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give consent to the London borough of Hillingdon for all those persons who applied to the council to purchase their homes prior to 13 July 1978, the date on which the council gave final approval to the sale of council houses, to have their houses valued as at that date.

Mr. Stanley

I shall be writing to the council shortly giving my decision.

Mr. Shersby

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give ministerial approval to the application by the London borough of Hillingdon contained in a letter to him from the leader of the council dated 17 May, for council houses to be sold to intending purchasers at the increased discounts now available but on the basis of valuations made when offers were made to tenants between 13 July 1978 and the date when the increased discounts were announced.

Mr. Stanley

The application referred to was not in specific terms and I am asking the council to present more detailed proposals.

Mr. Shersby

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in connection with the sale of council houses by the London borough of Hillingdon, the length of tenancy on which discount is based should relate to the tenancy of the property currently occupied, the length of tenancy with the council in whatsoever property, or the length of tenancy with any housing authority; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Stanley

Under the new ministerial consent, local authorities, in calculating a sitting tenant's entitlement to discount, may aggregate his previous periods of tenancy with any local authority or new town.