HC Deb 18 January 1990 vol 165 cc364-5W
Mrs. Gorman

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what further steps he intends to take to establish a free market in rented accommodation.

Mr. Chope

Part I of the Housing Act 1988 deregulated new lettings by private landlords as from 15 January 1989. We shall be evaluating its impact in due course, but initial indications are encouraging—in particular the estimated 7,000 extra homes for rent being provided under the business expansion scheme. At this stage we see no case for further measures.