Housing Services Advisory Group

HC Deb 25 July 1980 vol 989 cc425-6W

Mr. Garel-Jones

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what he has decided about the future role of the housing services advisory group.

Mr. Stanley

We have been giving careful consideration to the future of the housing services advisory group. Housing management issues have always been, and in our view should remain, the responsibility of local councils. However, where there is a need for the Department to be involved we believe that generally this should be done through the local authority associations rather than through an advisory body appointed by my right hon. Friend.

My right hon. Friend has therefore concluded that HSAG should not continue beyond the expiry of the present appointments on 27 November of this year. We shall be discussing with the local authority associations how the Department can best contribute to their work in the housing management area.