asked the Minister for Local Government the present position regarding the vesting of local authority houses; the cause of the delay in implementing the proposed purchase scheme for local authority houses which are not eligible for vesting; if he has plans for a model scheme for house purchase; if so, what the present position is with regard to it; and if he will make a statement on the entire position regarding the vesting and purchase of local authority houses.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Vesting of Local Authority Houses.
21.
Out of 90,403 houses provided by county councils under the Labourers Acts, 70,684 had been vested in the tenants by 31st March, 1968.
Under section 95 of the Housing Act, 1966, a tenant could, within 18 months of 31st December, 1966, apply to purchase a house included in a purchase scheme. As to houses provided before 1st January, 1966, which were not included in a purchase scheme under the Labourers Acts, section 94 required councils to submit schemes to me before 31st December, 1967. Schemes involving 3,760 houses were accordingly submitted to me. A tenant could apply to purchase one of these houses within 18 months of 31st December, 1966, or six months of the date on which the scheme came into force, whichever was the later. The Act required the council to inform tenants of the latest dates on which they might apply for vesting under these provisions. At 31st March, 1968, councils had on hands applications for vesting relating to some 7,687 houses.
Under section 90 of the 1966 Act a county council may prepare a scheme for the sale of their houses on the basis of the current market or replacement value of the house, less a discount not exceeding 3 per cent for each year after five during which an intending purchaser has continuously been a tenant of a local authority house, subject to a maximum discount of 45 per cent. (For houses in built-up areas, the figures are 2 per cent and 30 per cent, respectively.) The decision whether or not to make a scheme under this section is one entirely for the local authority. I am not aware of any delay on the part of the councils in formulating sale schemes.
As to the question of a model sale scheme, it does not seem necessary at this stage to amplify further the detailed guidelines on the preparation of schemes which were given to local authorities in my Department's circular letter H.5/67 of 14th April, 1967. To date, 25 sale schemes, involving about 34,600 houses, mostly in urban areas, have been approved by me under section 90 and in accordance with these guidelines. If there is doubt on any particular point in the guidelines my Department will be glad to advise on it.
Regarding the final part of the question, the policy in regard to the vesting and purchase of local authority houses was stated in my letter of 14th April, 1967, to every member of a housing authority. A copy of this letter will be sent to the Deputy.