§ Mrs. Millie Millerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will consult the GLC on the number of properties occupied in Greater London by unauthorised squatters; what information it has about deaths from unnatural causes in such premises over the past three years; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreesonI understand that about 750 properties owned by the Greater London Council and about the same number owned by London boroughs are currently occupied by unauthorised squatters. In addition some 2,000 are legally occupied by temporary licensees. The council does not collect information about properties owned by others. The investigation of deaths from unnatural causes is a matter for the police, but I understand that tenures are not normally recorded in such cases.