HC Deb 17 January 1995 vol 252 cc469-70W
Mr. Donohoe

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much money each development corporation in Scotland has spent on the establishment of housing associations within their areas; and if he will list these associations and the amounts of money received.

Mr. Stewart

Expenditure up to 31 December 1994 is set out in the following table.

Development Corporation Housing Association Amount £
Cumbernauld Abronhill Housing Association 10,500
East Kilbride East Kilbride and District Housing Association 64,923
Glenrothes Glenrothes Community Housing Association 25,782
Irvine Irvine Housing Association 1301,000
Livingston Almond Housing Association 62,782
1 Irvine Development Corporation has seconded two staff to Irvine Housing Association and their costs are included. Scottish Homes is expected to make a contribution towards the costs of setting up the association after the deduction of the costs of the secondments.

Mr. Donohoe

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many properties in each development corporation in Scotland have been transferred to housing associations as a result of(a) trickle transfer and (b) lease of new build properties since the inception of this policy.

Mr. Stewart

As at 31 December 1994, Livingston development corporation had transferred 63 vacant properties to housing associations under trickle transfer. No other corporations have transferred properties under trickle transfer and no corporations have transferred properties following the lease of new build.

ophthalmic services were introduced in 1975. Health boards can apply to the Secretary of State to operate a scheme in any area where this is required to meet the needs of residents. Under such schemes opticians may be reimbursed for their expenses incurred in travelling to remote locations to provide general ophthalmic services. Information about current schemes for the last three financial years is in the table.

Mr. Donohoe

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what procedure exists for the long-term transfer of housing to the housing associations within each of the development corporation areas which currently lease these properties.

Mr. Stewart

The only leasing arrangement is between Irvine housing association and Irvine development corporation. The association has made an offer to purchase 160 of the 183 homes it presently has on lease. This offer is being considered by the corporation.

Mr. Donohoe

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what financial agreement has been reached between Irvine development corporation and the Irvine housing association as regards the properties leased to it by the Irvine development corporation.

Mr. Stewart

The terms of the agreement require Irvine housing association to collect the rents for Irvine development corporation.

The association recovers separately from the corporation the costs it incurs in managing and maintaining the homes.

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