To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much additional lending has been injected into the economy since 1979 as a result of council house sales; and if he will make a statement.

Council house sales increase personal sector borrowing and reduce public sector borrowing. No estimates of the net effect on borrowing are available.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what inflationary impact the sale of council houses has had on the economy.

Council house sales have contributed to the improvement in the supply side of the economy and so should help the Government in their objective of reducing inflation.