§ Mr. PikeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what percentage of private rented accommodation has(a) two rooms or fewer or (b) three 818W rooms or more; and what plans he has to produce guidelines concerning suitable accommodation for households in the private rented sector.
§ Mr. Robert B. JonesSome 15 per cent. of households renting privately in England have two rooms or fewer, and 85 per cent. have three rooms or more. These proportions are from the 1993–94 survey of English housing and are subject to sampling error.
The Department has issued guidance to local authorities in support of their powers to enforce adequate standards of safety and amenity in houses in multiple occupation. Certain general standards relating to fitness and overcrowding are set out in primary legislation. But otherwise it is for landlords and tenants to agree the suitability of accommodation. We have no plans to issue further guidelines.
§ Mr. HardyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what payments have been made by his Department during the last five years to individuals or companies in Yorkshire and Humberside in support of projects which it was assumed would create employment; and how many jobs have been created in each case.
§ Sir Paul Beresford[pursuant to his reply, Wednesday 26 October 1994, column 76]: Until last November my Department awarded city grant to private developers in support of projects designed to create employment. On 10 November 1993, responsibility for city grant was assumed by English Partnerships.
In the five years to April 1994, £43.75 million of city grant was awarded in Yorkshire and Humberside in support of 41 schemes, which were expected to create 6,318 new jobs.