§ Mr. David PorterTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to encourage local housing authorities wishing to become enabling authorities instead of direct providers; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. YeoMy Department has issued guidance to all local authorities on how to develop their enabling role: I am sending my hon. Friend a copy and placing a copy in the Library. I am pleased by the extent to which many authorities are responding to encouragement to adopt a mainly enabling role, assessing the needs of their areas and helping housing associations, private landlords and developers to meet those needs, rather than concentrating exclusively on direct provision of council housing.