HC Deb 06 July 1983 vol 45 c113W
27. Mr. Tim Smith

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his target for the sale of council homes over the next five years.

Mr. Gow

We shall enable as many tenants as possible to buy their homes, and we expect sales to continue at a high level. But there is no Government target for sales, since these depend, properly, on individual choice.

32. Mr. Bright

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his latest estimate of the number of council houses sold since May 1979.

Mr. Gow

From April 1979 to March 1983, an estimated 515,000 dwellings were sold by local authorities and new towns in Great Britain. In addition, 30,000 housing association dwellings were sold.

49. Mr. Marlow

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the current annual rate for the sale of council houses.

Mr. Gow

About 218,000 dwellings were sold by local authorities and new towns in Great Britain in 1982–83, with little variation in the rate of sales from quarter to quarter. In addition, housing associations sold 20,000 dwellings.