§ Mr. John Evansasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if local authorities have the right to refuse to repurchase Airey-type houses from owner-occupiers who purchased their homes under the right-to-buy legislation.
§ Mr. StanleyNo powers currently exist to compel local authorities to repurchase Airey houses from owner-occupiers. Under the terms of the scheme announced on 7 September 1982, however, authorities will be reimbursed fully by the Exchequer for the costs of any ex-gratia payments made when they repurchase.
§ Mr. John Evansasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what compensation his Department will pay to local authorities which repurchase Airey-type houses under the provisions of recent legislation;
(2) what compensation his Department will pay to local authorities which incur expenditure effecting repairs on Airey-type houses that they have repurchased under the provision of recent legislation.
§ Mr. StanleyLocal authorities which repurchase Airey houses from owner-occupiers under the terms of the scheme announced on 7 September 1982 will be able to claim full reimbursement from the Exchequer of any ex gratia payments made to the owner. The actual purchase price will be at current market value. The need for expenditure on repairs to Airey houses will be taken into account in determining housing investment programme allocations. In addition, 100 per cent. of the notional loan charges on repairs—which is 75 per cent. of admissible costs—will be reckonable expenditure and will count in the calculation of authorities' subsidy entitlement.