To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether he has guaranteed to write off the whole of Oldham's outstanding housing debt in the event of the stock transfer ballot being won; when a decision on this matter was taken; and what form that decision took. (324267)

Government are committed to clearing the attributable housing debt of Oldham council if its tenants vote in favour of transfer. The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), which has responsibility for the delivery of the housing transfer programme, completed its assessment of Oldham's transfer application in October 2009.

The HCA was satisfied that the transfer proposals, including the indicative Overhanging debt total, met the necessary criteria as set out in guidance. Accordingly, the HCA recommended that Oldham be given a place on the transfer programme. In his written ministerial statement of December 2009, the Housing Minister agreed a place on the programme for Oldham, enabling the council to proceed to Stage One of the tenant consultation process.