§ Mr. FrenchTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will introduce legislation to permit local authority housing departments to operate as independent charitable trusts;
(2) how many representations he has received in favour of local authority housing departments being permitted to opt for charitable trust status.
§ Mr. YeoLocal authorities may already transfer their housing stock to any stable organisation that is independent of the local authority, and able to demonstrate a long-term commitment to the needs of existing and future tenants. Fifteen authorities have so far transferred their stock to registered housing associations and one authority to an industrial and provident society. No applications have so far been made for transfer to independent charitable trusts.