HC Deb 04 November 1987 vol 121 cc727-8W
45. Mr. Bellingham

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the number of council home sales in the latest period for which figures are available.

Mrs. Roe

In the three months April to June 1987, English local authorities and new towns sold an estimated 21,900 dwellings.

79. Mr. Flannery

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many council houses have been sold since the right to buy was given to sitting tenants; and how many council houses have been built in the same period.

Mrs. Roe

From October 1980 to end June 1987, 765,000 dwellings were sold by English local authorities and new towns, while 214,000 were completed for them.

57. Sir John Farr

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation to make it possible for council house tenants to buy their homes where they are now prevented from so doing because of fittings therein for a disabled member of the family.

Mrs. Roe

It seems right that purpose-built and sheltered housing for the physically disabled should be excluded from the right to buy. In 1984 the Government proposed in the Housing and Building Control Bill to extend the right to buy to housing which had only been adapted for the disabled, but an amendment was carried excluding dwellings which had been the subject of certain major adaptations. There are no plans for further legislation.