HC Deb 24 February 1988 vol 128 c234W
47. Mr. John Marshall

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a further statement on the progress of sales of council houses under the right-to-buy legislation.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

Since 1979 some 83,000 local authority house sales have taken place, and more than 30,000 applications to purchase have been made during 1987.

56. Mr. Favell

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what were the proceeds from sales of public sector housing in Scotland since 1979; and if he will make a statement.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

As at December 1987, sales of public sector houses to sitting tenants in Scotland since 1979 total £1,016 million. Some 10 per cent. of public sector stock has been sold, and since the receipts generated are available to enhance housing capital programmes it is very much in the housing agencies' interest to continue to encourage tenants to buy.