asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will introduce legislation to prevent houses being resold at a profit within three years of original sale by public corporations.

Where houses are bought under the right to buy at a discount the purchaser is required to pay back discount on selling again within three years. Voluntary sales by local authorities, housing associations and new town development corporations are normally subject to similar rules. Where other public bodies sell houses at a discount the terms of sale are properly a matter for them to determine.