§ Ms JowellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many councils in England are presently operating rent deposit schemes; and what plans the Government have to support such schemes.
§ Mr. BaldryThe Department does not hold information about rent deposit schemes operated by local authorities in England and Wales. As part of the rough sleepers initiative in central London we are funding the Notting Hill housing trust to operate a 15-month pilot project for a rent deposit fund. This scheme is due to end in June 1993, and we are currently making arrangements to evaluate it. That will enable us to consider whether there is scope for extending this or similar schemes elsewhere.