§ Mr. Jon Owen JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total number of responses58W received by his Department to the consultation on licensing houses in multiple occupation; and what percentage of these responses was favourable to a licensing scheme.
§ Mr. Bill MichieTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made on the consultation paper "Houses in Multiple Occupation—The Case For Licensing"; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Robert B. JonesThe period for responses to my Department's consultation paper on the case for licensing houses in multiple occupation closed on 18 February: we have received 379 responses. Approximately two thirds were from local housing authorities and fire authorities. About three quarters of the responses were in favour of introducing some form of licensing system, although there was a wide variety of opinion on the details. We are now considering what action to take in the light of these, and an announcement will be made in due course.