HC Deb 21 July 1982 vol 28 cc200-1W
47. Mr. Alexander

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local authorities currently have to make a monthly report to him on their progress in selling council houses.

Mr. Stanley

The answer is 82 local authorities and one housing association.

56. Mr. John H. Osborn

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about his policy towards council house sales in Sheffield.

Mr. Stanley

My right hon. Friend's policy is to ensure that all tenants in Sheffield obtain their legal rights under the right to buy provisions of the Housing Act 1980. Any tenant who is having difficulty in doing so should ensure that he or his solicitor writes to me.

Mr. John H. Osborn

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is now the total number of council house sales in the Sheffield area; what is the target for sales by the end of the current year; and if he is now satisfied with progress, and the degree of ease with which tenants wishing to buy their homes in that area can do so.

Mr. Stanley

The number of sales completed by 2 July was 863. The Council have been told that my right hon. Friend expects that all 4,519 cases where the right to buy was admitted as at 29 January 1982 should be taken to legal completion by not later than 31 December 1982 where the tenant wishes to complete and he and his solicitor proceed reasonably expeditiously; and that cases where the right to buy had been admitted well before 29 January 1982 should be taken to completion well before the end of 1982. As far as subsequent right to buy claims are concerned, my right hon. Friend expects that it should now normally be possible for tenants who claim the right to buy to complete the purchase of their homes within 3–4 months of their right to buy being admitted, where they and their solicitors proceed reasonably expeditiously. My right hon. Friend is not satisfied that coucil tenants in Sheffield may not be having difficulty in exercising the right to buy effectively and expeditiously and I saw representatives of the council on 19 July.