§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what undertakings were given to the Association of District Councils on the opportunities to be offered to its members of managing new town rented property; and what information he has on the extent to which these have been fulfilled by Warrington and Runcorn development corporation;
(2) what guidance he gives on the selection of housing associations to manage new town rented property;
(3) to whom he sent copies of letters relating to decisions on the transfer of management of rented property belonging to Warrington and Runcorn development corporation;
(4) what guidance was given to new towns on the role of local authorities in managing rented property transferred from new town ownership.
§ Mrs. RoeNo undertakings have been given by my Department to the Association of District Councils on the possibility of any of its members managing on a temporary basis new town rented houses. Decisions about management are a matter for the relevant development corporations. My Department has not issued them with guidance on local authorities managing the housing either before or after the ultimate transfer of ownership. On ultimate transfer, we require prospective purchasers of new town housing, including housing associations, to be approved for the purpose by the Housing Corporation.
746WInterim management agreements do not affect the Government's commitment to let new town tenants choose for themselves the owners of their homes. Attempts to confuse management and ownership only cause unnecessary anxiety for the tenants.