§ Mr. George HowarthTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received regarding the forthcoming local authority housing investment programme bids.
§ Mr. BaldryAs is customary, the relevant local authority associations have made representations at national level through the consultative mechanism under the Housing Consultative Council, and individual local housing authorities have submitted housing investment programme strategy statements and bids to my Department's regional offices. These will all be considered before decisions are announced in December.
§ Mr. RichardsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has for improving the right-to-repair scheme for council tenants.
§ Mr. BaldryProvisions for a new right to repair are included in the Housing and Urban Development Bill introduced on 22 October. The new scheme will replace the existing right to repair and will enable secure tenants of local authorities to have qualifying urgent repairs carried out by a second contractor when the first has not done the work by a target date. Details of the scheme, including the 235W qualifying repairs, will be set out in regulations which may also require landlords to pay compensation if the first contractor fails to do a repair within the target time.