HC Deb 24 July 1997 vol 298 cc692-4W
Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what are the total capital receipts for each local authority in Hampshire arising from the sale of council houses since 1979; [9316]

(2) how much of the capital receipts from council houses sales since 1979 has been used to avert borrowing; and how much remains in local authority accounts for each local authority in Hampshire, [9401]

Mr. Raynsford

Figures for(a) total capital receipts arising from the sale of council houses and flats between 1980–81 and 1996–97 and (b) housing capital receipts set aside between 1990–91 and 1995–96 are set out for each local authority in Hampshire in the table.

The first column includes all receipts from the sales of council dwellings, including—since 1990–91—those which could be used to finance capital expenditure as well as those which had to be set aside. The distinction between usable and set-aside receipts is not relevant before 1990–91.

Information is not available on the amount of set-aside housing receipts that authorities have used to avert borrowing, nor on the amount remaining in local authority accounts.

£000
Receipts from sale of council dwellings, 1980–81 to 1996–97 Receipts set aside from sales of housing revenue account assets 1990–91 to 1995–96
Basingstoke and Deane (8) 197,539 82,221
East Hampshire 94,801 41,142
Eastleigh (1) 81,755 37,480
Fareham (2) 29,442 3,077
Gosport 38,425 6,573
Hart 43,051 18,080
Havant 72,892 26,819
New Forest (1) 59,209 8,032
Portsmouth 129,642 13,618
Rushmoor 116,116 53,140
Southampton (2) 87,729 14,313
Test vally 75,667 11,762
Winchester (1)51,872 7,949

Source:

Quarterly housing return (PIB), Housing revenue account subsidy claim form.

Note:

No figures are available for receipts from the sale of council houses prior to 1 April 1980. Figures in brackets indicate incomplete data, showing the number of quarters missing during the period. Figures for set-aside receipts in 1996–97 are not yet available.

We are in the process of consulting the Local Government Association and local authorities on the Govnerment's capital receipts initiative. The final decision about the basis on which resources are to be distributed to individual authorities will be made when that consultation process is complete.

Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much of the capital receipts from council house sales since 1979 has been used to avert borrowing; and how much remains in local authority bank accounts in each local authority in the United Kingdom. [9771]

Mr. Raynsford

A table showing(a) the total capital receipts arising from the sale of council houses and flats between 1979–80 and 1995–96, and (b) housing capital receipts set-aside between 1990–91 and 1995–96 for each English local authority has been placed in the Library of the House. The totals for authorities in England are respectively (a) £24.6 billion, and (b) £5.3 billion.

The first figure includes all receipts from the sales of council dwellings, including—since 1990–91—those which could be used to finance capital expenditure as well as those which had to be set aside. The distinction between usable and set-aside receipts is not relevant before 1990–91.

No figures are available for receipts from the sale of council houses prior to 1 April 1980. Figures for set-aside receipts in 1996–97 are not yet available.

Information is not available on the amount of set-aside housing receipts that authorities have used to avert borrowing, nor on the amount remaining in local authority accounts.

We are in the process of consulting the Local Government Association and local authorities on the Government's capital receipts initiative. The final decision about the basis on which resources are to be distributed to individual authorities will be made when that consultation process is complete.

Information relating to local authorities in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is respectively the responsibility of my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland, for Wales and for Northern Ireland.

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