Written question asked by Brian H Donohoe (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 18 March 1996. It was answered by George Kynoch (Conservative) on Monday, 18 March 1996 on behalf of the Scottish Office.

Scottish Office

Question: What considerations led his Department not to exclude the bids lodged by local authorities involved in the bidding process for the housing stock of Scotland's development corporations from the effects of his changes in the handling of capital receipts by local authorities.

Answer: Mr. Donohoe: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what considerations led his Department not to exclude the bids lodged by local authorities involved in the bidding process for the housing stock of Scotland's development corporations from the effects of his changes in the handling of capital receipts by local authorities.[21063] Mr. Kynoch: The Government consider it important that the overall level of local authority debt in Scotland should be reduced. My right hon. Friend's decision ensures that a proportion of any receipts from ex-new town stock sold by a local authority under the right-to-buy scheme will reduce that authority's debt.

Secondary information