1. asked the Minister for Social Development if the Housing Executive will review its policy on the sale of its commercial properties to tenants.

(AQO 1468/01)

A review carried out in late 1998 concluded that the Housing Executive should not sell any commercial properties unless there were good reasons for doing so. There are no plans for a further review.

I thank the Minister for his brief and concise reply. It looks as though he may equal the previous Minister’s achievement in answering questions quickly. Where commercial tenants are willing to invest in the development of properties owned by the Housing Executive, public funds would benefit if those tenants were allowed to buy those properties and develop them as normal commercial enterprises. Now that we have a new Minister, the matter merits reconsideration; a different policy might be devised in the Executive.

I compliment the Member for the concise wording of his question. Most commercial properties owned by the Housing Executive are shops or garages that it has built or inherited. Some are derelict buildings acquired under the special purchase of evacuated dwellings (SPED) scheme. The current policy is to sell only if it makes good economic sense to do so, and providing that there would be no detrimental effect on tenants. The rationale for the retention of such properties is that, when the last review was carried out, it was thought desirable for the Housing Executive to retain control over the nature of the outlets. This is to ensure, first, that a mixture of shops is maintained; secondly, that the residents benefit from local shopping facilities — these properties are mainly in or near housing estates; and, thirdly, that the risk of problems associated with particular types of outlets is minimised. In addition, rent from such outlets contributes to Housing Executive income over a longer time.

Once such properties are sold, covenants governing the use of the shops are valid for only three years, after which time, market forces dictate use. That is not necessarily in the interest of the community. However, I note the Member’s remarks and am happy to give the matter further consideration.

I do not see Mr Gerry Kelly in the Chamber, so we will move to the next question.