asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what encouragement his Department is providing for the development of tenant management co-operatives and par value co-operatives; and what initiatives his Department has taken over the recommendations made in the report of the Housing Co-operatives Review Committee, published in December 1983, following upon the conference attended by the Minister with responsibility for housing in Scotland for September 1982.
The development of tenant management and par value co-operatives is primarily the responsibility of the housing authorities concerned locally. The Scottish Development Department does, however, provide financial assistance to the tenant participation advisory service, which is responsible for developing interest in and knowledge of all forms of tenant participation, including management and par value co-operatives. The Scottish Development Department is also in close touch with Glasgow district council over its innovative proposals for the development of par value community ownership schemes.I have welcomed the report of the Housing Co-operatives Review Committee, most of whose recommendations call for action by housing authorities. The Scottish Development Department has been giving consideration to the recommendations which affect central Government and will shortly be meeting officers of the tenant participation advisory service to discuss them further.