HC Deb 28 January 1986 vol 90 c467W
Mr. Gerald Bowden

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has as to the reasons for the delay by Southwark council in processing the application of Mr. A. Castle of 30 Sunray avenue to buy his council home; and when he now expects the transaction to be completed.

Sir George Young

Full details of this case are being urgently sought from the London borough of Southwark, and I shall write to my hon. Friend when I have the council's reply.

Mr. Gerald Bowden

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has as to the reasons for the delay by Southwark council in proceeding with the application of Miss L. Colwell of 78 Red Post hill to buy her council home; and when he now expects the transaction to be completed.

Sir George Young

I understand that Southwark council dispatched the necessary legal documentation on 3 December and proposed a completion date of 13 January. If there are any outstanding difficulties, perhaps my hon. Friend will write to me.

Mr. Gerald Bowden

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has on deterrents to prospective purchasers of council flats in the London borough of Southwark.

Sir George Young

I have had many representations on behalf of tenants of the London borough of Southwark who wish to buy their flats, expressing concern about delays in the processing of their applications, and about the level of service charges they will be required to pay.

On service charges, the provisions in the Housing and Planning Bill, introduced last week, will provide purchasers of flats with better protection by requiring fuller estimates of charges to be given before sale, and limiting charges for repairs during the early years of the lease by reference to the pre-sale estimates.

On delay, I met representatives of Southwark council last August, expressed concern at their performance and requested changes in their procedures to expedite the handling of right to buy applications. There has since been some improvement in the council's performance, but it is still not wholly satisfactory and my Department is monitoring the situation closely.