... indication of a person's willingness to negotiate a contract. In Gibson v Manchester City Council 2 the courts had to decide whether something said, written or done in the negotiation process was actually a contractual offer capable of acceptance or a mere invitation to treat. In November 1970, Manchester City Council (then led by the Conservatives) sent out brochures outlining their scheme to sell council houses. If recipients of the brochures wanted further information they were to return a form attached to the brochure. Mr Gibson did precisely this. Afterwards he received an application form and a letter on February 16th 1971 stating that MCC may be willing to sell him a council house at a price of £2,180. The letter asked Mr Gibson to make a formal application on the form provided - which he did. In May 1971, political control of the Council changed. Labour came to power and ...

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