HC Deb 14 July 1992 vol 211 c639W
Mr. Bayley

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what percentage of council tenants have transferred their tenancy away from local authority control since July 1991.

Mr. Baldry

Approximately 7,700 local authority dwellings in England arc known to have been transferred from local authority control to housing associations and other bodies between July 1991 and March 1992, the latest date for which detailed information is available. This represents about one fifth of one per cent. of local authority housing stock in England. In addition a further 14,800 dwellings were transferred in two block transfers in April 1992.

Mr. Betts

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will list for council housing for each of the last 10 years(a) the average rent levels, (b) the total housing benefit paid, (e) the average benefit paid per property and (d) the number of properties at the year end;

(2) if he will list for properties transferred by agreement with the tenant to other forms of ownership for all years since transfers began (a) the average rent levels, (b) the total housing benefit paid, (c) the average benefit paid per property and (d) the total number of payments at the year end.

Mr. Baldry

The available information is as follows:

(a) (b) (c) (d) (e)
Year Average weekly unrebated rent Total housing benefit paid Average weekly benefit per property Number of properties at 31 December
£ £ million £ 000s
1983–84 14.03 1,659 6.66 4,788
1984–85 14.79 1,789 7.31 4,705
1985–86 15.63 1,902 7.91 4,627
1986–87 16.48 1,980 8.36 4,556
1987–88 17.40 2,029 8.74 4,465
1988–89 19.01 2,172 9.66 4,325
1989–90 20.86 2,351 10.87 4,161
1990–91 23.94 2,586 12.33 4,034
1991–92 27.41 2,687 112.91 14,004
1 Provisional.

Corresponding information on properties transferred by agreement to other forms of ownership is not available.

Mr. Bayley

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what new rights have been introduced for council tenants since July 1991 to simplify and strengthen their ability to get minor repairs affecting health, safety or crime prevention carried out by their landlord.

Mr. Baldry

Subject to enactment of the necessary legislation, we propose to introduce a new right to repair scheme. Details will be published later this year. The new scheme will enable council tenants to get small urgent repairs, affecting health, safety and security, done quickly.