§ Mr. SoleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many new tenancies have entered the private sector of the housing market since the introduction of assured tenancies under the Housing Act 1988; and how many of them are part of a business expansion scheme.
§ Mr. HowardInformation on the number of assured tenancies created under the Housing Act 1988 is not yet490W available. However, initial impressions are very encouraging. In particular it is estimated that more than £350 million has been invested in business expansion scheme companies letting on assured tenancies. With an average price of £50,000 per property, that means an extra 6,000 to 7,000 homes available for letting.