Mr. StewartTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to tackle housing abandonment in the North West. [71959]
§ The Deputy Prime MinisterI am determined to help areas where the housing market has collapsed. That is why this Government has established nine Pathfinder projects dedicated to providing lasting solutions for communities blighted by abandoned homes. Four are located in the North West.
§ Mr. Hugh RobertsonTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his plans for new housing in Kent. [71960]
§ Mr. McNultyIt is the responsibility of Kent County Council to decide on housing provision in line with Regional Planning Guidance for the South East issued in March 2001.
The review of the allocation of housing in the South East, which in the first instance is a matter for the South East England Regional Assembly, will be progressed through the next review of the Regional Planning Guidance.
§ John MannTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has for tackling slum housing in coalfield communities. [71961]
§ The Deputy Prime MinisterWe are determined to tackle housing market failure wherever it occurs. Low demand Pathfinder projects will provide lasting solutions for communities blighted by derelict homes through investment and innovation. Three of the recently announced Pathfinders include coalfield communities. More generally, Local Authorities have a vital role in producing comprehensive housing strategies together with action plans to tackle the problems identified.
§ Mr. LambTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the provision of affordable housing in rural areas. [71962]
§ Laurie QuinnTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the provision of social housing in rural areas. [71976]
§ Mr. McNultyWe recognise the importance of affordable housing in sustaining inclusive and thriving rural communities. We have taken substantial measures to help alleviate housing pressures, as outlined in the896W Rural White Paper. We expect to deliver around 9,000 affordable homes annually in rural areas by 2003–04, including 3,000 in small rural settlements.
§ Mr. RobathanTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister, if he will make a statement on his housing policy in the South East. [71965]
§ The Deputy Prime MinisterPolicy on housing in the South East, is set out in Regional Planning Guidance for the South East, which was issued in March 2001.
I made a statement in July 2002, which covered housing, including London and the South East, and I stated that I would return to the House by the end of the year with a comprehensive long term programme of action.
§ Ms Oona KingTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) how many(a) detatched houses, (b) semi-detatched houses, (c) terraced houses, (d) maisonettes and (e) flats have been sold by local authorities in London under the right-to-buy scheme since 1980; [74266]
(2) how many council properties with (a) one bedroom, (b) two bedrooms, (c) three bedrooms, (d) four bedrooms and (e) five bedrooms or more have been sold by local authorities in London under the Right-to-Buy Scheme since 1980. [74265]
§ Mr. Tony McNultyThe precise information requested is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. Summary information reported by local authorities only distinguishes sales of houses (including bungalows) from flats (including maisonettes). By the end of March 2002, it is estimated slightly more than 246,000 homes had been sold by London boroughs under the RTB scheme, consisting of some 121,500 houses, and 124,500 flats.
§ Margaret MoranTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what measures he intends to take to bring empty private sector houses back into use. [71969]
§ The Deputy Prime MinisterWe will shortly publish comprehensive guidance on unlocking the potential of empty properties; we intend to give local authorities powers to end the council tax discount on long-term empty homes; we are giving local authorities a range of new freedoms to assist private housing in poor condition; and we are targeting a package of measures on nine areas of low demand where the problem of abandonment is most acute. In addition, we are considering a range of measures recommended by the Transport, Local Government and the Regions Select Committee in its recent report on empty homes.