JOHN Prescott was recently reported to be considering blocking the sale of council houses.

It has taken some time for the Government to realise that buying a property from the council at a peppercorn rent and selling later at full market value is a rip-off. Thank goodness this Government is doing something about it. Here we are with genuine need of housing for those on the list and in some cases on the streets.

The right to buy is all very well, but it should be at the market price. No one should make a profit from the council.

The situation is out of hand and needs addressing. The previous Government should have seen the loophole when it introduced the right to buy.

Keith Chapman,

Custance Walk,

St Benedict Road,

Nunnery Lane, York.

Updated: 12:28 Wednesday, October 30, 2002