§ Mr. BattleTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidance he proposes to give Bournemouth local authority on how to fulfil its statutory obligation to provide accommodation for the homeless, now that it has transferred all its housing stock to the private sector.
§ Mr. TrippierBournemouth has not transferred its housing stock. If the city council wished to do so, it would need to consult its tenants first (in accordance with schedule 3A to the Housing Act 1985) and then seek my right hon. Friend's consent. He would have to be satisfied that adequate arrangements had been made to meet Bournemouth's continuing statutory duties towards the homeless.