HC Deb 13 June 2003 vol 406 cc1155-6W
Andrew George

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many affordable empty homes there were in(a) rural areas and (b) England, broken down by region in each of the last 10 years. [117987]

Mr. McNulty

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for St. Ives on 5 February 2003,Official Report, column 347W.

Dr. Kumar

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the compliance of the compulsory leasing of empty properties recently announced in the Communities Plan with the Human Rights Act 1998; and if he will make a statement. [118161]

Mr. McNulty

The proposal to enable local authorities to take temporary management control of some empty homes set out in the consultation paper "Empty Homes: Temporary Management, Lasting Solutions", published on 22 May, raise matters that engage aspects of the European Convention on Human Rights as it has effect by virtue of the Human Rights Act 1998. These matters are included in the issues on which the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is seeking views during the consultation period ending on 22 August.

If, as a result of the consultation, the Government decided to introduce legislative provisions, they would need to be satisfied that such provisions were compatible with Human Rights legislation.