HC Deb 17 December 1992 vol 216 c456W
Welsh

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what central Government mechanism exists for ensuring that council-owned houses are maintained in a windproof, watertight and fit condition; and how many times these powers have been used over the past five years.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

Local authorities have an obligation at common law to keep their houses in a tenantable and habitable condition. In addition, section 17 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 imposes a duty on local authorities to manage their houses. Repairing obligations are a matter between landlord and tenant.