§ Mr. Shersbyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local authorities are selling homes to tenants with the benefit of the discount to which they are entitled but with the opportunity to purchase under an equity sharing scheme; and if he will encourage sales of this kind particularly in areas with high valuations.
§ Mr. StanleyI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply my hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Birmingham,846W Ladywood (Mr. Sever) on 11 July. Detailed information about the level of discount offered by local authorities is not available.—[Vol. 988, c. 338.]
I am encouraging local authorities, new towns and housing associations to offer the possibility of shared ownership sales of newly-built, improved and unimproved dwellings where purchasers cannot afford to buy outright, and the provisions of the Housing Bill will help them to do so.