Mr. Shersbyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he is satisfied with the extent to which privately rented accommodation is becoming available on shorthold tenancies; what steps he is taking to encourage this type of letting; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what is his policy for increasing the supply of rented accommodation in the private sector in London and other large cities in order to meet the needs of the single homeless; and if he will make a statement.
Sir George YoungShorthold was one of a number of initiatives the Government took in the Housing Act 1980 to encourage private landlords to make more accommodation available—in the interests of all those looking for rented housing in large cities and elsewhere. It is too early to assess how shorthold has developed since its introduction, though the figure of over 5,000 shortholds achieved in the first year represent an important start. We are now considering what further steps might be taken to build on the initiatives in the 1980 Act to encourage more lettings throughout the private sector.