§ Mr. Harry GreenwayTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to monitor the value for money of service charges in the public and private sectors; and if he will make a statement. [10297]
§ Mr. ClappisonThe Government have no plans to monitor the value for money of service charges in the private sector. We have, however, received many representations on the subject and I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment to my hon. Friend the Member for Gravesham (Mr. Arnold) on 18 January 1996,Official Report, column 668.
The Department commissioned research into council leaseholders' service charges in 1994 and the findings have been published. This included information about the level of service charges and the attitude of leaseholders to them. We are considering further research.