§ Mr. SimpsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to allow local authorities to buy empty housing properties from the private sector; and what evaluation he has made of the comparative cost-effectiveness of doing so as against using temporary accommodation.
§ Mr. BaldryThe provision of new social housing is now mainly the responsibility of housing associations, with local authorities concentrating on the management of their existing stock and on their broad enabling role. The Government expect local authorities to make the most efficient use of all permanent housing stock available to them, so as to reduce to a minimum the need for temporary accommodation. Nevertheless, authorities are able to acquire empty private sector housing, in line with their priorities for the use of available resources.