§ Sir Wyn RobertsTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the consultation exercise undertaken on his proposals for exempting rural areas in Wales from the purchase grant scheme for housing association tenants. [39635]
§ Mr. Jonathan EvansFollowing the commitment given in January this year by my right hon. Friend, around 200 copies of the consultation paper were issued to local authorities, housing associations and other interested organisations: 12 responses were received. I have carefully considered these. I am confirming the proposals for the exemption which recognises the scattered population pattern which characterises much of rural Wales and provide protection to those sensitive areas which need it most. I am not making any changes to the list of exempted areas upon which we consulted.
The deadline for responses to the final consultation paper giving detailed proposals for England is 29 July. My right, hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment will be announcing the outcome in due course.
A list of respondents to the consultation paper has been placed in the Library of the House, and this contains a contact point in the Welsh Office for copies of individual responses.
387WList of Respondents to the Consultation Paper "Purchase Grant Scheme for Housing Association Tenants in Wales—Rural Exemption Proposals"
- The Countryside Council for Wales;
- The Country Landowners Association;
- Glamorgan and Gwent Housing Association;
- Wrexham County Borough Council;
- Conwy County Borough Council;
- Monmouthshire County Council;
- City and County of Swansea;
- Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council;
- Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council;
- Vale of Glamorgan Council;
- Newport County Borough Council;
- The Chartered Institute of Housing.
Copies of individual responses can be obtained from Mrs. K. M. Worsey on 01222 823903.