§ Mr. David AtkinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what assessment her Department has made of the extent to which business organisations advertise the availability of residential vacancies in hotels, hostels and houses in multiple occupation in tourist areas to attract unemployment benefit claimants; what is the nature of such organisations; and if she will make a statement. [5391]
§ Mr. SproatI share the widespread concern that the rapid expansion of hostels in a number of popular resort areas is causing very serious problems. My Department has made no assessment of advertising by hostel landlords, although we are indeed aware of this practice. The Government recently announced some measures designed to tackle poor standards in houses in multiple occupation including hostels. These include a new duty of care on HMO landlords and new simplified registration schemes which may be brought in by any local authority. I understand that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment intends to bring forward legislation as soon as possible.