§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to enable the receipts from the sales of council houses to be applied into the new building programmes for housing to rent; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BaldryLocal authorities must set aside part of their capital receipts as provision for repaying debt. This remains a sensible and prudent requirement. It also enables a greater amount of new credit approvals to be issued to those local authorities where housing needs are greatest or where the resources will be put to best use.
The provision of new social housing is now mainly the responsibility of housing associations.