§ Mr. Pikeasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if his Department currently gives any funding or financial subsidies to companies involved in rental purchase schemes; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what recent representations he has received regarding Bradford Investments plc; and if he will make a statement;
(3) what recent representations he has received regarding rental purchase schemes; and if he will make a statement;
(4) what is his Department's policy with regard to rental purchase schemes; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThis Department does not currently give any financial assistance to rental purchase schemes. Representations have recently been received from one local authority and from Shelter on rental purchase schemes in general and Bradford Investment plc in particular. The Housing Act 1980 extended to occupiers under rental purchase agreements certain rights under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977. The Government are keeping the use of rental purchase under review.