§ Sir Hugh Rossiasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will consider the case for new housing courts and tribunals.
§ Mr. GowThe Select Committee on the Environment recommended in its report on the private rented housing sector — First Report, Session 1981–82 — that the Government should examine in detail the proposals that had been made for the establishment of a housing court. Since then, I have received a number of representations on this subject.
I have given careful consideration to the wide range of evidence and views on the case for a new housing court or tribunal, in consultation with my noble Friend the Lord Chancellor and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales. In the Government's view, the examination of the wide and important issues which have been raised can best be carried forward in the context of the full and systematic review of civil justice which the Lord Chancellor announced on 6 February. Accordingly, as the Lord Chancellor's announcement made clear, housing matters will be given specific consideration in this major review. I have written to the Chairman of the Select Committee, in response to the recommendation in the Committee's report, and a copy of my letter has been placed in the Library.