Campaigners claim right-to-buy is aggravating homelessness

Campaigners at a conference in Edinburgh also called for restrictions on the policy as it relates to existing tenants.

The body is concerned that only small changes have been made to the law.

The Scottish Executive has promised a review of right to buy for new tenants following concerns expressed by housing associations earlier this month.

Shelter said it had looked at Scottish Executive statistics which showed that more than 400,000 council homes have been sold since the policy was first introduced - 100,000 of them since May 1997, when Labour came to power.

It believes many Labour politicians are troubled by the impact council house sales have had on homelessness.

Malcolm Chisholm has pledged a review on rights for new tenants

Opponents argue that council house sales remain a major factor in the acute shortage of affordable housing.

They want Communities Minister Malcolm Chisholm to make sure that a measure designed for the 1970s plays no part in shaping housing policy in the 21st century.

Housing associations earlier this month welcomed an executive pledge to review whether new council tenants should retain the right to buy their homes.

The Scottish Federation of Housing Associations argued that too few homes are available for rent.