HC Deb 22 February 1980 vol 979 c612W
66. Mr. Budgen

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local authorities are declining to offer housing accommodation for sale to sitting tenants in anticipation of the provisions of the Housing Bill.

Mr. Stanley

The best information I have is that about 270 housing authorities in England are now selling council houses to sitting tenants, and about 100 are not.

Mr. Straw

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many letters have been received by his Department from members of the public concerning delays encountered in their purchase of their council home, in each of the months from and including May 1979 to date.

Mr. Stanley

Since May some 2,500 letters have been received from members of the public about sales of council houses. Several hundreds have been from tenants who have encountered delays in buying their homes, but it is not possible to give a precise figure, or a monthly breakdown, except at disproportionate cost.