§ Mr. John Townendasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will use his powers under the Housing Act 1980 to require Hull district council to proceed with the sale of council houses.
§ Mr. StanleyThe Department has written formally to Kingston-upon-Hull City council regarding the delay in obtaining valuations of dwellings in respect of which the right to buy has been admitted. In addition complaints of delay received from individual tenants in Hull wishing to exercise their right to buy are being pursued with the council. My right hon. Friend's use of his powers under section 23 of the Housing Act 1980 is dependent on whether it appears to him that the tenants of a particular authority have or may have difficulty in exercising the right to buy effectively and expeditiously.