asked the Minister for the Environment if it is Government policy to encourage the purchase of all local authority houses; and, if so, if it is proposed to amend the sales schemes to enable recently appointed tenants to purchase their homes at a more reasonable rate.
Written Answers. - Purchase of Local Authority Houses.
233.
It has been an important aspect of housing policy for some years that all tenants of local authority dwellings, other than dwellings specifically provided for elderly persons, should be afforded the opportunity of purchasing their dwellings.
While I consider that the existing tenant purchase scheme enables the majority of tenants who wish to do so to purchase their dwellings at very favourable rates. I am aware that tenants of newer dwellings who may not be entitled to tenancy discount may find it difficult to purchase such dwellings under the existing scheme.
I am therefore considering a number of options which could have the effect of facilitating the purchase of such dwellings by the tenants.