§ Mr. McMasterTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to introduce new measures to deal with(a) anti-social tenants in the public sector, (b) anti-social tenants in the private sector and (c) anti-social neighbours in the owner-occupied sector of housing in Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [31385]
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe subject of anti-social behaviour by tenants and owner-occupiers is presently being addressed by the Scottish Office in a number of ways. In March, we issued a consultation paper on the effectiveness of controls over neighbour noise, while in May a consultation paper on the possible introduction of probationary tenancies as one means to assist public sector landlords in tackling anti-social behaviour was circulated for comment. The latter was accompanied by a short note to local housing authorities reminding them of the existing range of statutory powers to deal with anti-social behaviour.
Last February, we issued a housing good practice note on tenancy management to all public sector landlords, which included a section on handling neighbour disputes and anti-social behaviour. My Department has also funded the Chartered Institute of Housing to undertake a study of current practice amongst public sector landlords in dealing with anti-social behaviour with a view to identifying effective strategies which may be adopted more widely.
I welcome the announcement by the Scottish Affairs Committee that it proposes to inquire into the subject of housing and anti-social behaviour. I await the Committee's deliberations with interest.