§ Mr. Michael Forsythasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has any evidence of changes in allocation policies of housing authorities in Scotland following the passage of the Tenants' Rights etc. (Scotland) Act and the publication of the Scottish housing advisory committee's sub-committee report on allocation; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AncramAllocation policies are primarily a matter for the discretion of local authorities and my right hon. Friend does not collect information systematically about them. The Tenants' Rights etc. (Scotland) Act 1980 prohibited a number of restrictive practices which are generally unacceptable and required each authority to publish its allocation rules. The report of the Scottish housing advisory committee sub-committee on allocation policy made a number of recommendations as to good practice, which were, I believe, broadly endorsed by local authorities. My Department is studying copies of the rules which authorities have published, and my right hon. Friend will consider in due course whether there is any action he should take.