§ Mr. HeddleTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps his Department is taking to bring to the attention of local authorities section 129 of the Housing Act 1988 concerning grants to or for the benefit of their tenants to assist them to obtain other accommodation by buying or leasing a home, or by extending an existing property.
§ Mr. TrippierThe Department wrote to all borough and district councils in England to draw their attention to section 129, which came into operation on 1 April, and give guidance on the framing of cash incentive schemes. Twenty-one schemes have been approved to date and others are under discussion. Cash incentives can play a valuable part in helping tenants move into homes of their own and releasing vacancies for reletting in areas of housing shortage.