Houses in Multiple Occupation

HC Deb 13 July 1995 vol 263 c723W

Mr. Ian McCartney

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on his reasons for deciding not to introduce a national licensing scheme for houses in multiple occupation. [34062]

Mr. Clappison

We have reviewed the arguments for and against introducing licensing for houses in multiple occupation. My Department announced last week new proposals to deal with HMOs. These will build on local authorities' existing powers. Full-scale licensing would be more bureaucratic and less flexible for local authorities.