§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) when he proposes to publish targets for the reduction in the number of unfit homes in Portsmouth; [4294]
(2) what representations he has received from Portsmouth City Council concerning the number of unfit homes in Portsmouth; [4295]
(3) how many unfit homes there are in Portsmouth; and what plans he has to reduce their number. [4293]
§ Mr. RaynsfordMy Department has received no representations from Portsmouth city council concerning the number of unfit homes in Portsmouth. Local authorities in England are asked to provide estimates of dwellings in their area which are unfit on the annual housing investment programme returns. Portsmouth's latest HIP return reported that, on 1 April 1996, 340 of its own dwellings and 5,300 private sector dwellings were unfit. Figures for other public sector bodies and housing associations were not provided. Local authorities are responsible for taking action to tackle unfit homes within their area, including the setting and publishing of any targets for reduction, within the context of their housing strategy and investment programmes.