HC Deb 17 February 1971 vol 811 cc1820-1
22. Mr. Clinton Davis

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation to prohibit local authorities from instructing estate agents to effect sales of local authority houses.

The Minister for Housing and Construction (Mr. Julian Amery)

No, Sir. Some local authorities find estate agents useful in selling their houses and I see no reason for depriving them of this assistance.

Mr. Davis

Will the right hon. Gentleman ensure that no local authorities, within the Inner London area at least, where there is obviously great housing need, will embark on a policy of this kind? Is it not sheer lunacy for such authorities to embark on the sale of council houses, having regard to housing needs? It is not adding insult to injury to expect ratepayers to bear the very high commissions which estate agents would demand for the sale of council houses?

Mr. Amery

No, Sir. The use of estate agents very often is more economic than the use of a council's own resources. The burden is not entirely borne by the council or the purchaser. It is usually shared.

Captain W. Elliot

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that there is no decrease in the housing stock whether the occupant owns a house or rents it?

Mr. Amery

My hon. and gallant Friend is absolutely right. Anyone who purchases a house, particularly if it is outside council property, very often makes a council house available for someone else.

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