HC Deb 04 February 1981 vol 998 c149W
Mr. Heddle

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is satisfied with the progress being made under the Housing Act 1980 right-to-buy provisions.

Mr. Stanley

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Leek (Mr. Knox) on January 21—[Vol. 997, c.198.]

Mr. Joseph Dean

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what material effect the Government-sponsored campaign on the sale of council houses has had on actual sales.

Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg

The effect of the Department's publicity campaign on sales under the right to buy cannot be qualified numerically. Its object, which was achieved, was to inform millions of tenants of the existence of the right to buy, to explain to them how and on what terms the right could be exercised, and to tell them where further particulars could be obtained.

Mr. John H. Osborn

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is satisfied with the speed at which those 2,800 council house tenants who wish to buy their council houses in Sheffield are able to do so; and what consideration he has given to the possibility of calling in a commissioner.

Mr. Stanley

I understand that the majority of applicants in Sheffield have been receiving responses to their claims to exercise the right to buy within the time limits laid down by chapter 1 of the Housing Act 1980. I am, however, concerned by the lack of subsequent progress in the making of valuations. My Department is currently pursuing this point with the council. Under section 23(1) of the Housing Act 1980 the Secretary of State may intervene where it appears to him that tenants may have difficulty in exercising the right to buy effectively and expeditiously, and my right hon. Friend is accordingly following progress with right to buy applications in the city very closely.

Mr. Robert Atkins

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he is taking against those local authorities who refuse to sell council houses.

Mr. Stanley

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Dartford (Mr. Dunn) on 26 January.—[Vol. 997, c.338.]