§ Mr. Steenasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether he will issue a circular to local authorities on the problem of high-rise block estates and the desirability of providing adequate opportunity for public forums for discussion between council officials or councillors and tenants living in the blocks on the estates;
(2) if he will take steps to ensure that tenants of high-rise blocks on council estates are encouraged to play a greater part in the management and running of their estates.
§ Mr. KaufmanI am in favour of tenants of local authority estates playing a larger part in the management of their dwellings. Research is currently being undertaken into forms of tenant participation in housing management, and my hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Construction has recently announced a working party to look into co-operative management schemes whereby tenants may participate collectively in decisions which affect them, and related matters. In addition to this the Department is engaged in a number of important studies on aspects of high-density living, which I described in reply to questions raised432W on the Adjournment on 14th November. As the results of this work become available I shall consider what guidance should be given to local authorities.
§ Mr. Steenasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to ensure that greater funds are made available to local authorities so that they are able to provide adequate caretaking facilities to every tower block on council estates.
§ Mr. KaufmanIt is for local authorities, in the light of current financial considerations, to decide on priorities in the use of the resources available to them for the management of their estates. I hope that, within the limits of these considerations, they will make every effort to provide adequate caretaking facilities.