§ Mrs. GormanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has recently consulted any housing pressure groups on the problems of homelessness and what solutions were discussed.
§ Mr. ChopeFollowing publication of our review of the homelessness legislation, we have continued to visit and consult voluntary organisations concerned with the relief and prevention of homelessness and the local authority associations. We have discussed the whole range of issues involved, but one of our main concerns has been to make progress with implementing the conclusions of our review.
§ Mrs. GormanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will commission a study into the effect of controlled tenancies on homelessness;
(2) what assessment he has made of the effect of planning regulations and rent controls on homelessness.
§ Mr. ChopeThe Housing Act 1988 is designed to encourage the supply of privately rented accommodation through deregulation of new tenancies. At the same time the Government are committed to retaining the rights of existing tenants with regulated tenancies. We will commission any necessary research on the effects of the Act in due course and continue to investigate and consult on the effect of planning regulations.