§ Mr. Kirkwoodasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether he is satisfied with the working of the Housing Corporation's home scheme for tenants of charitable housing associations; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what plans his Department has for the future of the Housing Corporation's home ownership scheme for tenants of charitable housing associations; and if he will make a statement;
(3) whether his Department intends to consult the Housing Corporation over the working of its home ownership scheme for tenants of charitable housing associations.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe home ownership scheme for tenants of charitable housing associations was introduced in September 1984 to help tenants who were excluded from178W the right to buy. It has proved popular, but demand outstrips the resources available. I shall keep the operation and effectiveness of the scheme under review in consultation with the Housing Corporation.
§ Mr. Kirkwoodasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) when his Department last provided additional funds for the Housing Corporation's home ownership scheme for tenants of charitable housing associations; and how much was provided
(2) whether he intends to provide additional funds during the current financial year for the Housing Corporation's home ownership scheme for tenants of charitable housing associations.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe funding of transferable discounts under the home ownership scheme for tenants of charitable housing associations has to be accommodated within the Housing Corporation's cash-limited approved development programme. In 1986–87 expenditure on the scheme amounted to £17.58 million; a further £19 million has been allocated for the current financial year.
§ Mr. Kirkwoodasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many new home owners are estimated to have been assisted by the Housing Corporation's home ownership scheme for tenants of charitable housing associations; and how many are now on the waiting list.
§ Mr. WaldegraveSince the scheme was introduced in September 1984, approximately 4,300 properties have been purchased. Over 1,100 applications have been made since the current waiting list was started on 1 October 1986.
§ Mr. Kirkwoodasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he intends to seek to amend the way in which the Housing Corporation's home ownership scheme for tenants of charitable housing associations operates to take greater account of regional differences.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe scheme already takes account of regional variations in house prices, and the Housing Corporation allocates funds to its regions on the basis of local demand for the scheme.