THE Tories have launched their manifesto with a promise to allow people to buy their homes at a discounted price from housing associations (Echo, Apr 15).

It left me wondering which other landlords should be instructed to sell their properties to encourage more home ownership at discounted rates.

Maybe Prince Charles should be made to sell the 600 properties he rents out. As these sales would be at a discounted rate, this sale would widen home ownership. He'd obviously need to pay considerable capital gains tax but, on the upside, the cash could be used to pay down the deficit But, Prince Charles as a landlord has a relatively modest estate. The Duke of Westminster could be made to sell his £8 billion estate at discounted rates to those who needed homes. This really would benefit many people. It would also add considerably to the exchequer.

The legality and practicality of these actions are the sort of detail that is missing from the Tory manifesto. But, surely if David Cameron is keen on a home owning democracy that's a minor matter.

Richard Bulmer, Sheffield.