HC Deb 13 January 1989 vol 144 cc782-3W
Mr. Matthew Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has discussed with any local authorities the possibility of alterations in capital spending restrictions following the establishment of a housing action trust in their area; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Trippier

Section 74 of the Housing Act 1988 provides that any money received by an authority following transfer of property to a HAT will be treated as a capital receipt under whatever capital finance system is in place. I have had no discussions with any local authorities about altering this provision.

Mr. Matthew Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has had discussions with local authorities other than Leeds, Sunderland, Sandwell, Southwark, Tower Hamlets and Lambeth regarding the establishment of housing action trusts; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Trippier

I discuss all kinds of housing issues which authorities choose to raise when I come in contact with them. And I discussed housing action trusts with representatives of the local authority associations at the Housing Consultative Council on 25 November 1988.

Mr. Matthew Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any proposals to alter the current criteria for establishment of housing action trusts so that higher quality public sector stock can be included in one.

Mr. Trippier

Section 60 of the Housing Act 1988 lists matters to which the Secretary of State may have regard in deciding whether to include a particular area of land in an order designating a housing action trust area. We have no plans to amend this section.