§ Mr. Heddleasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish the response to his consultation letter dated 16 November 1983 containing proposals to give a right of exchange to secure tenants of local authorities, new town development corporations and housing associations; when he anticipates that amending legislation will become operative; and what steps he will take to monitor the statutory right to exchange.
§ Sir George YoungThe amendments to the Housing and Building Control Bill to give a right for secure tenants to exchange their homes which were tabled on 15 February took account of comments received in response to the consultation letter, in particular on strengthening safeguards against a trade in secure tenancies. The right to exchange will become operative two months after the Bill receives the Royal Assent. Local authorities are asked to provide in their annual Housing Investment Programme returns the number of dwellings let through exchanges.