§ Mr. Ieuan Wyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many council houses have been sold by each unitary authority; how many remain under their ownership; what the capital receipts are for each authority; and if he will make a statement on the future role of councils in providing social housing in Wales. [35525]
§ Mr. Win GriffithsThe available information is set out in the table. Local authorities are required to set aside a proportion of the receipts from Right to Buy sales for credit liabilities in accordance with the provisions of section 59 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.
242WLocal authorities have the key role in determining housing needs and priorities. These are set out in their housing strategies and operational plans which now drive the allocation of social housing grant to registered social landlords in their areas. I have no reason to think that local authorities will not continue to be substantial landlords for some years to come.
Sales of Council Dwellings1 Council Council dwellings sold April 1996 to December 1997 Capital receipts2 April 1996 to December 1997 (£000) Estimated number of council dwellings at 30 December 1997 Blaenau Gwent 193 2,752 8,827 Bridgend 199 2,986 8,075 Caerphilly 244 3,765 13,825 Cardiff 269 5,067 17,323 Carmarthenshire 219 3,605 11,274 Ceredigion 127 2,580 2,733 Conwy 69 1,266 4,477 Denbighshire 62 1,136 4,313 Flintshire 128 2,604 8,885 Gwynedd 202 4,077 7,667 Isle of Anglesey 125 2,004 4,898 Merthyr Tydfil 96 1,321 5.908 Monmouthshire 157 3,475 4,257 Neath Port Talbot 228 3,515 11,535 Newport 240 3,902 12,136 Pembrokeshire 154 2,612 7,214 Powys 253 4,910 6,549 Rhondda Cynon Taff 159 2,174 14,087 Swansea 240 3,581 17,142 Torfaen 446 7,262 10,991 Vale of Glamorgan 118 2,391 5,204 Wrexham 275 4,800 14,574 Wales 4,203 70,648 201,893 1 Includes houses and flats 2 Selling price net of discounts