HC Deb 22 March 1989 vol 149 cc633-4W
39. Mr. Andrew Mitchell

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he proposes to take to ensure that councils deal promptly with applications by their tenants to buy their homes.

Mr. Trippier

As I announced in my answer of 10 March to my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow, West (Mr. Hughes) at column699, provisions came into force on that date enabling tenants whose applications are delayed by the landlord to have rent payments put towards the purchase price.

60. Mr. Knox

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many council houses have been sold to sitting tenants in England since May 1979.

Mr. T'rippier

From April 1979 to December 1988 about 1 million tenants bought their homes from English local authorities and new towns.

77. Sir George Young

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what further measures he proposes to encourage council tenants to buy their homes.

Mr. Trippier

As I announced in my answers of 9 March to my hon. Friend the Member for Battersea (Mr. Bo wis) at column672 and 10 March to my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow, West (Mr. Hughes) at column 699, we intend to increase the maximum value of discount from £35,000, and have brought into force new measures to help tenants whose applications are delayed by their landlord.