§ Dr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his policy regarding the provision of housing by local authorities.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonLocal authorities in Scotland have a major role to play both as enablers and providers of housing for the foreseeable future. In their role as housing providers authorities will meet an increasingly competitive environment following the introduction of tenants' choice whereby council tenants will have the right to opt for a new landlord. There are, however, no plans to compel authorities to give up their landlord function and there are no statutory powers whereby the Government or any other body can force them to do so. The only person who can compel a council to sell its property is the individual sitting tenant.
The Government's recognition of the substantial role played by councils as housing providers is reflected in the fact that gross capital consent allocations to housing authorities have virtually doubled over the last four years.
It is important, however, that councils should not focus on their landlord function to the detriment of their role as strategic and enabling housing authorities.