§ Mr. SoleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will give details of the financial and other proposals made to him by Rochester-upon-Medway city council concerning the transfer of its housing stock; and what decisions or advice he has given.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerThe consent given by the Secretary of State to Rochester-upon-Medway city council to dispose of its housing was conditional on the disposal taking place on or before 30 June, and the city council has not made an application for a renewal of that consent.
Without prejudice to any decision which he may be called upon to make on such an application, the Secretary of State has indicated that, exceptionally, he may in principle be prepared to countenance a deferred payment of part of the purchase price by the city council, if the council wishes to pursue that option. However, I understand that the city council has not yet decided how or whether to proceed.