§ Mr. WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what research has been conducted into homes in multiple occupation by his Department; and if he will make a statement.
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton(holding answer 23 November 1987): Three research projects relevant to houses in multiple occupation have been carried out by or on behalf of the Scottish Development Department in recent years.
In 1982 a report, "Shared Housing for Single People", was published by the Department; this contains the results of a social and design evaluation of purpose-designed, shared housing for single people in Edinburgh. The research was funded by the Department.
In 1984 the Department issued a report "Housing for Single People, Shared Accommodation and Hostels" as part 7 of the Scottish Housing Handbook (HMSO 1984). This examines the need for housing for single people and suggests ways of providing such accommodation.
In 1986, the Department produced a report on research into local authority policies and procedures for controlling and regulating houses in multiple occupation.