asked the Minister for the Environment in respect of each local housing authority, the number of persons who applied under the 1988 tenant purchase scheme to buy out their homes from the local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

11.

asked the Minister for the Environment if he will extend the terms of the 1988 tenant purchase scheme for another year; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

24.

asked the Minister for the Environment if he has any plans in his Department to extend the period of application for the 1988 tenant purchase scheme; if he has any plans to introduce another scheme in 1989; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

111.

asked the Minister for the Environment if, in view of the fact that the scheme for the sale of flats and maisonettes to local authority tenants was only notified to tenants in December 1988, he will extend the closing date for applications under the scheme from 31 December 1988 to 31 December 1989.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 5, 11, 24 and 111 together.

The number of applications received by each local authority is set out in the tabular statement which I propose to incorporate in the Official Report. There were 40,655 applications by tenants to buy their houses: this represents some 45 per cent of eligible tenants. In addition, 1,752 tenants applied to purchase flats and maisonettes. I am very pleased at the exceptional response to the scheme which compares with an average of some 5,000 applications in recent years. As I made clear since I introduced the scheme, applications had to be received by 31 December 1988 and I do not intend to extend that date. I am at present considering purchase arrangements, including those for flats, for this year.

Following is the statement:

1988 Tenant Purchase Scheme — Position at 31 December 1988