HC Deb 08 November 1979 vol 973 cc288-9W
Mr. Heddle

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a list of those local authorities who (a) allocate their housing stock solely on the length of time the applicant has been on the waiting list, (b) impose a residential requirement and (c) refuse to consider housing single people under retirement age.

Mr. Stanley

The latest information available has been published in the report of the housing services advisory group entitled "Allocation of Council Housing", a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

Mr. Heddle

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has held any discussions with the Association of District Councils and the Association of Municipal Authorities on the question of harmonisation of the procedure for the allocation of council houses; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Stanley

Allocation procedures are a matter for local authorities to determine in the light of their assessment of housing needs. My officials will be discussing with the local authority associations how to improve transfer and exchange arrangements between local authority areas.

LOCAL AUTHORITY EXPENDITURE ON THE ACQUISITION OF LAND AND EXISTING BUILDINGS: ENGLAND AND WALES
£ million, 1979 survey prices
1974–75 1975–76 1976–77 1977–78 1978–79 {provisioned)
(a) Acquisition of land and existing buildings of which 1,265 1,085 749 459 380
(b) Municipalisation 312 170 141 80 71