asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in order to help provide low-cost housing and to assist the construction industry, he will encourage local authorities to sell land to private housebuilders, with the condition that it is used to provide low-cost homes.

I am constantly encouraging authorities to enter into arrangements with private housebuilders to promote low-cost home ownership, an important element of which is the sale for this purpose of land owned by local authorities. I am glad to say that about two-thirds of the housing authorities in England have indicated that they intend to pursue various low-cost home ownership initiatives in 1982–83.