§ Mr. Russell BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will announce the results of the public consultation on proposed changes to the Right to Buy Cost Floor Rules in Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [76122]
§ Mr. MacdonaldWe received 38 responses to the consultation paper which was issued in February 1998, the majority of which were broadly supportive of the proposals outlined in the paper. Having considered the comments received, I have today laid before Parliament a Statutory Instrument which will extend the cost floor period in Scotland from 5 to 10 years with effect from 1 April 1999. This change will protect for a longer period investment made by landlords in their housing stock.
A separate Determination will also be issued which will set out in detail how landlords should calculate the cost floor in future. This will also introduce a new threshold, which will allow landlords to include significant repairs and maintenance costs within the calculation of the cost floor. The changes will affect both local authorities and other landlords whose tenants have a Preserved Right to Buy.
From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.