§ Rev. William McCreaasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on what date he expects the Northern Ireland Housing Executive to be able to re-purchase Orlit dwellings in Northern Ireland.
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§ Mr. Chris PattenMy present expectation is that a statutory scheme could be operative by next September. This is of course dependent on the passage of legislation, which will be brought forward as soon as possible; the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland is prepared to consider repurchase in advance of the legislation if otherwise hardship would be involved in any individual case.
§ Rev. William McCreaasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland under what conditions tenants can purchase Orlit dwellings which are presently in a state of disrepair.
§ Mr. Chris PattenThis is a matter for the Northern Ireland housing executive but I understand from the chairman that all housing executive houses, with the exception of sheltered dwellings and houses built or specially adapted for the elderly, are available for sale to sitting tenants. The same conditions of sale apply in Northern Ireland as in the rest of the United Kingdom and no special conditions exist for Orlits; a tenant buying an Orlit house now will do so in the knowledge of the Orlit survey work, and the valuation of the house will reflect the condition of the house as it is now.