239 Mr. Hilliard asked the Minister for the Environment the plans, if any, he has to allow the tenants of single unit flatlets to purchase these flats from local authorities, similar to the tenant purchase scheme available to other local authority tenants. [19259/95]

The policy document, Social Housing — The Way Ahead, outlined the difficulties that arise in relation to the sale of local authority flats and accordingly, authorities were advised that flats should not be offered for sale under the 1995 Tenand Purchase Scheme. Local authorities have, however, been asked to give consideration to the sale of maisonettes particularly those which do not have common areas where satisfactory arrangements which do not involve the difficulties that arise in the case of flats can be devised.

Dwellings provided for, and occupied by, elderly persons, whether flats or houses, are excluded from the tenant purchase scheme.