§ Mr. Shersbyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will publish the results of his Department's exercise to examine the problem of longterm empty dwellings in the local authority sector.
§ Mr. GowThe meetings with the 30 participating authorities have been completed, and a report has today been placed in the Library. Copies have been made available to the participating authorities and the local authority associations.
My right hon. Friend has decided to take the following initial steps as a result of the report—
- a. to issue a Circular to local authorities setting out ways in which better management practices can reduce the number of empty dwellings. The Local Authority Associations will shortly be consulted about a draft of the Circular;
- b. to examine the scope for restoring eligibility for Housing Association grant (Mini-HAG) to short-life properties in local authority ownership.