§ Mr. McMasterTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what will be the arrangements for the transfer of Scottish Homes housing stock to other landlords; if the transfer price will reflect the market value of the stock; what discounts will be offered to landlords; what financial guarantees he will seek from purchasers to ensure that the rights of tenants are secure; and if he will make a statement.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonUnder section 2(3A) of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1988, the transfer of Scottish Homes housing stock requires the consent of my right hon. Friend, who issued guidance to Scottish Homes in February 1989 and February 1991. An independent valuer will assess the market value of the stock, taking into account the conditions attaching to the sale and this valuation will be used as a benchmark against which final decisions will be taken. The question of specific safeguards intended to protect tenants' rights is a matter for Scottish Homes as owners of the stock to consider. However, all 481W disposals of stock must be in accordance with the guidance which has been issued and which provides for substantial safeguards for tenants. My right hon. Friend will withold his consent to any disposal if he is not satisfied that the interests of tenants have been fully protected.
§ Mr. McMasterTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the number of houses owned by Scottish Homes in each district council area in Scotland.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe information requested is a matter for Scottish Homes. I have asked its chairman, Sir James Mellon, to write to the hon. Member.
§ Mr. McMasterTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what regulations will govern ballots arranged by Scottish Homes on the transfer of housing stock; how many options will be put before tenants in the ballots; if tenants will retain the right to opt for Scottish Homes as existing landlord; if tenants will have a right to choose district councils as their landlord; what rules will govern management buy-out options; and if he will make a statement.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonIn terms of Scottish Homes' published procedures for the transfer of its stock, an independent teller will be commissioned to undertake a postal ballot of tenants in the proposed transfer area. For operational reasons Scottish Homes has decided that the ballot paper will contain two options, the status quo or a move to a specified alternative landlord. However, the tenants' independent advisor will be able to feed tenants' views into Scottish Homes' consideration of the preferred alternative landlord. The guidance which has been issued to Scottish Homes by my right hon. Friend makes it clear that it will be for Scottish Homes to decide whether there are special circumstances relating to particular houses which would make the local authority an appropriate alternative landlord. He would however expect this to arise only in exceptional circumstances and where such disposal did not compromise the Government's objective of promoting diversity of choice. Scottish Homes has established a code of conduct to govern management buy-outs, which will be open to competition from other landlords.
§ Mr. McMasterTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if members of staff of Scottish Homes who are involved in the development of management takeover bids in relation to the disposal of their employer's housing stock are being, or will be, granted permission to do so during working hours or given equivalent time off from routine duties.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe information requested is a matter for Scottish Homes and I have asked its chairman, Sir James Mellon, to write to the hon. Member.