§ Mr. Winnickasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he is satisfied with the operation of section 9 of the Housing Act 1957;
(2) if he is satisfied that there are adequate legislative safeguards for poorer tenants whose landlords refuse to undertake repairs or provide services to which the tenant is contractually entitled;
(3) if he will introduce amending legislation that will give private tenants the right to buy when there is clear evidence of neglect by the owner of the dwelling concerned.
§ Sir George YoungThere is a range of legal remedies for tenants whose landlords fail to carry out repairs or provide services. Tenants may take action themselves and local authorities may, in certain circumstances, take action on their behalf. The Government are broadly content with the operation of section 9 of the Housing Act 1957 but are considering whether any amendment is necessary in the context of a general review of improvement policy. We do not intend to introduce a right to buy for private tenants.