§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received about the decision of the London borough of Greenwich to prevent council tenants purchasing their homes under the right-to-buy legislation from purchasing their garages where these are the subject of a separate tenancy agreement; and what reply he has given.
§ Mr. StanleySix tenants of the London borough of Greenwich have made complaints direct to the Department260W about the Council's policy in respect of selling garages where the tenant has applied to buy his house under the right-to-buy provisions. We have drawn these tenants' attention to the provisions of the Housing Act 1980 which govern the sale of land let with a dwelling-house. In the light of representations made to me by one of the councillors and a report by the chief executive on garage sales enclosed with it, my Department wrote to the council on 17 March suggesting that it may be misinterpreting the relevant provisions of the Act. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the letter that was sent.
§ Mr. Wheelerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment which London borough councils have been issued with formal warnings because of a failure to allow the right-to-buy procedures; and whether he proposes any further action.
§ Mr. StanleyThe following London borough councils are currently under formal warning that my right hon. Friend is contemplating giving them notice of his intention to intervene under section 23 of the Housing Act 1980:
- Barking and Dagenham
- Brent
- Greenwich
- Hackney
- Islington
- Lambeth
- Newham
- Southwark
- Tower Hamlets
Action has been, and will continue to be taken, on behalf of both individual tenants generally in these authorities to assist them in the exercising of their right to buy.