John Redwood

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The Rt. Hon John Redwood MP argued the case in Parliament that the new HIP packs are unwanted

Following the Secretary of State’s statement to the House of Commons yesterday on the delayed implementation of Home Information Packs, the Rt. Hon John Redwood MP argued the case in Parliament that the new packs are unwanted, unnecessary and will place additional burdens on those looking to sell their homes and on the housing market in general.

Mr. John Redwood (Wokingham) (Con): Does the Secretary of State not understand that vendors do not want to incur what is effectively a tax on their transaction before they have gained any money from the sale that they are trying to carry out? Does she not understand that when in a hole one should stop digging, and that it is not a good idea to go against the wishes of the many people who would like to sell their houses or flats in the normal way without Government interference and an effective tax?

Ruth Kelly: I can only conclude from his comments that the right hon. Gentleman does not support energy performance certificates, which are the only new documents in the home information packs.

Mr. Redwood: I would support voluntary certificates, but not mandatory ones.

Mrs. Kelly: I hear the right hon. Gentleman say, from a sedentary position, that he does not support mandatory energy performance certificates. Is that the view of his party’s Front Bench? If it is, I suggest—

Mr. Speaker: Order. It is not for the Secretary of State to ask the questions.