HC Deb 02 July 1980 vol 987 cc591-2W
28. Mr. Bright

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to publicise the right to buy provisions of the Housing Bill once it becomes law.

Mr. Stanley

The explanatory and financial memorandum to the Bill estimates that about £1 million will be required in this financial year to publicise the changes in the law resulting from the Housing Bill.

30. Mr. Adley

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects that the provisions of the Housing Bill relating to the sale of council houses will come into effect.

47. Mr. Durant

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects local authority tenants will be able to exercise the right to buy in areas where they are now being denied that right.

Mr. Stanley

As indicated in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Preston, North (Mr. Atkins) on 26 June 1980, I hope that the Housing Bill will receive the Royal Assent before the Summer Recess. Clause 142 of the Bill provides that part I, dealing with the right to buy, should come into operation eight weeks after enactment.

43. Mr. Speller

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many inquiries his Department has received from public sector tenants who are being denied the right to buy concerning the denial of that right.

Mr. Stanley

About half of the nearly 2,800 letters we have received on sales of council houses have been from tenants who say that their councils will either not sell them their house or allow them the maximum discount permissible under the existing general consent for the sale of council houses.