§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what proposals he has for bringing housing in local housing authorities where tenants have voted against stock transfers or Arms Length Management Organisations up to the decent homes standards specified in Labour's 2001 manifesto. [172282]
§ Keith HillWhere local authorities need additional funds over and above the substantial increases this government has made to funding for council housing, they have three options, establishing an Arms Length Management Organisation, using the Private Finance Initiative or transfers or their stock to a registered social landlord. If tenants reject all of these options then we will respect their decision. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has no proposals for providing additional resources above the three options. It is for local authorities with their tenants to work through the Options Appraisal process and to reach a decision from the options available.