§ Mr. Squireasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about his Department's research on rent arrears.
§ Mr. GowThe report of the Department's research into rent arrears in the public sector was published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office in October 1983 under the title "Preventing Rent Arrears". Copies have been placed in the House of Commons Library. Recommendations for good practice are made, emphasising especially the need for prompt recovery action while arrears are low and the need to ensure full take-up of rebates and other benefits.
I am sure that the report will be helpful to all local authority, new town and housing association landlords in tackling rent arrears.
The Department has begun an extensive programme of dissemination of the results of the research to housing staff. A copy of the report has been sent to all local authorities, new towns and housing associations in England and Wales; articles summarising the research are being published in the journals Housing and Voluntary Housing; the Institute of Housing will be organising a series of one-day seminars, and the school of advanced urban studies, Bristol university, held a residential seminar in October.