§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will make a statement about the guidelines which he has drawn up for Scottish Homes in carrying out the transfer of its housing stock, with particular reference to transfer of Scottish Homes properties to local authority control;
(2) if he will make a statement about the transfer of Scottish Homes properties in Ayrshire; what point the transfer process has reached in Ayrshire; and what is the time scale within which the disposal process will be completed.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonMy right hon. Friend has issued guidance to Scottish Homes on the voluntary disposal of its housing stock. This has been taken into account by Scottish Homes in its published procedures which promote substantial safeguards for tenants. All transfer proposals must have the agreement of tenants and are subject to the approval of my right hon. Friend who will be willing to consider a recommendation for a disposal to a local authority where Scottish Homes takes the view that there will be special circumstances such that the disposal would not compromise Ministers' and Scottish Homes' objective of promoting diversity of choice in rented housing. It is expected that such circumstances will rarely arise.
Scottish Homes is currently preparing a local stock strategy which will address the transfer of its stock in Ayrshire. Tenants will be fully consulted on specific proposals and transfers will take place at a pace consistent with tenants wishes.