§ Mr. Pikeasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any plans to bring forward changes in legislation concerning houses in multi-occupation.
§ Sir George YoungNone at present. My Department is carrying out research which involves an examination of the condition of houses in multiple-occupation and local authorities' use of existing legislation. I wish to see the outcome of this research before deciding whether further measures are necessary. The timetable for this research was set out in the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Staffordshire, Moorlands (Mr. Knox) on 3 June, at columns 33–34.
§ Mr. Pikeasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has received any recent representations regarding legislation on houses in multi-occupation.
§ Sir George YoungYes. I have received several representations from Members of Parliament, professional bodies, interested organisations and the general public. They have been reminded of the wide range of powers available to local authorities for securing improved conditions in houses in multiple-occupation and of the action which the Government has already taken to strengthen some of these powers.