To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will set out his reasons for refusing to allocate additional funds to those local authorities who choose not to establish arm's length management operations for their council housing. [129306]

The Sustainable Communities Plan made it clear that there are three options open to local authorities seeking additional investment in their housing stock: Stock transfer, the Private Finance Initiative and the establishment of an Arms Length Management Organisation (ALMO).The range of options is needed so that the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister can increase the quality of social housing alongside the achievement of other priorities. Additional resources are directed to options that will improve performance and service quality at the same time.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the local authorities which have conducted ballots amongst their housing tenants for arm's length management operations; and what (a) the turn-out in each case and (b) the percentage votes for and against was. [129307]

The information requested is tabled as follows:

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he will allocate additional funds to local authorities whose tenants have voted in favour of the establishment of arm's length management operations. [129308]

Allocation of funds to a local authority under the Arms Length Management Organisation (ALMO) Programme is subject to two conditions: the council obtaining approval from the Secretary of State under section 27 of the Housing Act 1985 to delegate its housing management functions to an ALMO, for which tenant support is a key criterion; and the ALMO gaining at least a 2^* from the Housing Inspectorate. We confirm the allocation of funds when both of these conditions are satisfied.