§ Mr. McMasterTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his latest estimate of the number of people living in homes of multiple occupation in Scotland; what regulations govern this type of shared accommodation; what plans he has to bring forward new legislation, regulations and controls; and if he will make a statement.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonInformation on the number of people living in houses in multiple occupation is not held centrally. The 1991 census showed that 10,435 people were living in accommodation which is not self-contained.
Housing authorities have powers to make orders applying the code of management contained in the Housing (Management of Houses and Buildings in Multiple Occupation) (Scotland) Regulations 1964, and to introduce licensing schemes for houses in multiple occupation under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation) Order 1991. The Government will continue to monitor the use of these powers and is not planning to amend the statutory provisions. HMOs are also covered by secondary legislation which can be introduced for various specific purposes, including fire safety.