HC Deb 18 June 1981 vol 6 c404W
Mr. Sheerman

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is taking any measures to encourage councils to take up low-cost ownership schemes to help first-time buyers.

Mr. Stanley

Yes. Recent measures include:

  1. (a) a further broadening of the terms under which local authorities have general consent to dispose of houses flats and housing land—the Department's circular letter to local authorities dated 2 June 1981;
  2. (b) an increase in the limits on the amount which the Exchequer can contribute towards improvement for sale schemes—DOE circular 18/81, WO 24/81;
  3. (c) the approval of forms of agreement under which local authorities may guarantee building society mortgages under section 111 of the Housing Act 1980—DOE circular 5/81, WO 9/81;
  4. (d) the issue of model clauses for inclusion in shared ownership leases—DOE circular letter to local authorities dated 6 February;
  5. (e) the issue of the model scheme for shared ownership—DOE circular letter to authorities dated 15 October 1980;
  6. (f) the issue of approval to three authorities that have applied to operate homesteading sche mes with a waiver on mortgage interest;
  7. (g) the production and showing throughout the country of a DOE film and explanatory booklet on the Government's six-point low-cost home ownership programme.