§ Baroness YOUNGMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they have taken to encourage the extension of the North Wiltshire District Council housing scheme in other housing authorities.
§ The PARLIAMENTARY UNDER SECRETARY of STATE, DEPARTMENT of the ENVIRONMENT (Baroness Birk)My Lords, about 40 local authorities have so far introduced schemes. We expect to be able to issue general advice in light of their experience and of the special examination now being undertaken by Sir Dennis Pilcher of the scope for local authorities to lease houses.
§ Baroness YOUNGMy Lords, while thanking the noble Baroness for that information, may I ask whether she recognises that in the examination the valuable work already done by the North Wiltshire District Council in arranging lettings of otherwise empty properties should be taken into account? Does she further recognise that if this scheme could be brought to the attention of all the non-metropolitan and metropolitan district councils a great many houses which are at present unoccupied could be let?
§ Baroness BIRKMy Lords, we are aware of that point and the attention of local authorities has been drawn to the scheme. Indeed, a great many of them have been in touch with the Department. I would point out to the noble Baroness 462 that the North Wiltshire scheme has not yet been in force for a year and that there have as yet been no changes of tenancy and no let properties taken back. It is difficult to examine the scheme until we see how it works out.
§ Baroness YOUNGMy Lords, is it not a fact that part of the principle of the North Wiltshire scheme is encouragement to let empty properties under a guarantee of return to the owner at the end of the short lease by the local authority, and that the principle, which the noble Baroness herself supported in the short debate, is one which could be applied in other places? Will the Department issue a circular encouraging its application by other authorities?
§ Baroness BIRKMy Lords, it could be applied but only where local authorities can rehouse the people concerned when the properties are taken back. That is the point which, as the noble Baroness will remember, I stressed in the debate and it is the reason why the scheme may not always be applicable to all authorities. As I said in the original Answer, a circular will be issued when we have made the examination and have received the recommendations from Sir Dennis Pilcher.