§ Mr. CartwrightTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what evidence he has received about the extent of unauthorised occupation of local authority housing in Greater London; and what action he plans to take.
§ Mr. YeoInvestigations into levels of unauthorised occupation are being undertaken by a number of London authorities, and my Department is taking a close interest in the findings as they emerge. The Government have taken a number of steps which encourage the reduction of unauthorised occupation. These include the financial186W discipline of the ring-fenced housing revenue account, t he incentive in HRA subsidy rules to minimise voids, and the requirement to publish performance indicators. My Department is also funding research which will provide authorities with models of good practice to prevent such activity in the first place. The primary responsibility for tackling the problem must rest, however, with the owners and managers of the housing—the local authorities themselves.