§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) whether the requirement that local authorities consultation material issued as part of large scale voluntary transfer is checked by the Department extends to information issued by(a) individual (i) councillors, (ii) tenants, (iii) tenant groups and (b) the selected stock transfer organisation; [136040]
608W(2) what the reasons are for requiring local authorities to have all materials checked as part of the consultation process for large scale voluntary transfer. [136041]
§ Keith HillThe Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does not formally check material issued by parties other than the local authority. An authority is required to give Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and the Housing Corporation an opportunity to comment on its consultation material before it is issued. This is to enable identification of anything which is likely to be unacceptable to my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister when he comes to consider the authority's consent application or to draw attention to the adequacy or comprehensiveness of the material.
In carrying out consultation with tenants about a proposed transfer, local authorities must meet the statutory requirements set out in section 106 of and Schedule 3A to the Housing Act 1985 (as inserted by section six of and Schedule one to the Housing and Planning Act 1986). They are also obliged to adhere to the Code of Recommended Practice on Local Authority Publicity. This permits authorities to explain and justify their proposals and ensure that local authority publicity concentrates on facts and explanation.
§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the material his Department has checked from(a) Stroud district council and (b) other parties involved in the large scale voluntary transfer process. [136042]
§ Keith HillThe Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has formally cleared material issued by the local authority and has, on request, commented on material issued by other stakeholders.
§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will publish the advice his Department has given to Stroud district council on their communication with tenants regarding the procedures for large scale voluntary transfer. [136142]
§ Keith HillI refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 22 October 2003,Official Report, column 564. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister expects all local authorities involved in housing transfer to follow the guidance on involving tenants and other stakeholders in the Housing Transfer Manual. All comments provided to Stroud district council have been in accordance with this guidance.