§ Mr. Michael Cocksasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will request local authorities to take steps to prevent private loan companies from operating on their housing estates to pressurise tenants into taking out loans with them to exercise their right to buy their houses; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Nicholas EdwardsNo. Council tenants with the right to buy their homes must be allowed to take their own decisions about whether to do so and how to finance the purchase. They have the right to a mortgage from their landlord, subject to an income test, and, if they cannot afford to buy their homes outright, the option of purchase on shared ownership terms.