HL Deb 09 May 1988 vol 496 cc824-5

2.46 p.m.

Lord Gainford asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the installation of concierges in some blocks of flats has proved to be successful in both economy and safety.

The Minister of State, Department of the Environment (The Earl of Caithness)

My Lords, the evidence available at this early stage of development strongly suggests that concierges can be effective in both increasing residents' sense of security and in reducing expenditure on maintenance and vandalism. The department's estate action unit published on 21st March a report entitled A better reception: The development of concierge schemes. This examines different approaches to concierge arrangements and lists nearly 40 local authorities in Great Britain which have introduced schemes. Copies of the report have been placed in the Library.

Lord Gainford

My Lords, I thank my noble friend the Minister for that encouraging reply. Does he have any evidence that concierges are able to prevent sub-letting of flats for illegal purposes?

The Earl of Caithness

My Lords, I have no direct evidence, but it is something that concierges could do. However, it is up to the landlord to enforce the rules.

Lord Mellish

My Lords, is the Minister aware that high rise blocks of flats have quite rightly come in for a great deal of criticism, some of it unfair because the majority of flats are in good structural condition? The problem is that there is no caretaking. There is appalling vandalism. Lifts are frequently out of order. People dread living in the flats. Unless someone takes this matter seriously and makes an effort to eliminate vandalism and install caretakers, the problem will become a running sore. Not to do so constitutes a disastrous financial policy.

The Earl of Caithness

My Lords, that is exactly the purpose of the estate action unit in the department. It will help local authorities to counter the problems mentioned by the noble Lord.

Viscount St. Davids

My Lords, the Minister will no doubt be aware of the paper that I have just been able to put on his desk concerning the scandalous state of affairs in Camden where flats have been let to prostitutes and drug users. In at least one block apparently the great majority of flats have been so let. Some flats have also been let to itinerant Irish people who have sub-let them at high prices for their own purposes. I am unable to limit this subject to two questions. Can the Minister give me a general answer on how these practices are to be stopped? How far does this situation relate to the question of the enormous numbers of homeless people in London? Moreover, since the centre of this activity appears to be a place called Grease Street, does it not appear to the Minister that a certain amount of greasing has been going on?

The Earl of Caithness

My Lords, if illegal activities have been taking place it is up to the local council or the landlord together with the police to take the necessary action.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey

My Lords, I remember very clearly the noble Lord, Lord Mellish, when he was Minister of Housing coming to the borough of Haringey and dragooning—not to say bullying—us into accepting more subsidies for building more highrise flats. Does the Minister accept that I am glad to see the conversion of the noble Lord to the case we then put of the dangers of some of these high rise flats?

The Earl of Caithness

My Lords, as I understood the question of the noble Lord, Lord Mellish, it was not that he was criticising high rise blocks of flats. He was criticising the lack of management; and that is where a concierge would have helped.

Lord Mellish

My Lords, is it right to put on record, as regards visiting Haringey, that I do not recall that situation? In any case, the first time that I heard of the noble Lord, Lord McIntosh, was when I came here.