§ Mr. SoleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in the light of the outcome of the arrangements to transfer the housing stock of Rochesterupon-Medway city council, he will revise his guidelines regarding voluntary transfers; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerOur criteria remain those set out in the guidelines, "Large Scale Voluntary Transfers of Local Authority Housing to Private Bodies", a copy of which is in the Library.
§ Mr. SoleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make it his policy not to approve any future proposal by Rochester-upon-Medway city council to transfer its housing stock to another landlord which is not accompanied by financial assistance to the tenants' association to emply independent financial and legal advice.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerAny local authority wishing to dispose of tenanted housing must comply with the requirements of schedule 3A to the Housing Act 1985. The Secretary of State will consider whether the authority has, in his view, met these requirements before deciding whether to give consent to the disposal. It is for the authority to decide whether it will provide tenants with financial assistance for obtaining external advice.