§ Sir Jim LesterTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what further plans he has to assist council leaseholders facing difficulties with service charges. [20822]
§ Mr. ClappisonWe issued the Social Landlords Discretionary Reduction of Service Charges (England) directions 1997 and the Social Landlords Mandatory Reduction of Service Charges (England) directions 1997 on 4 February. We issued a further direction on 13 March giving Wandsworth borough council discretion to waive or reduce service charges for works in respect of defects on the Ackroydon and Queensmere estates. We have no plans at present to issue further directions, but we shall consider carefully any requests that are put to us.