§ Mr. BurnsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions for what reason the Government have decided not to issue an approved code of practice, covering issues raised in Circular 12/92 entitled "Guidance to Local Housing Authorities on Standards of Fitness" under section 352 of the Housing Act 1985; and if he will make a statement. [62122]
§ Mr. RaynsfordWe have decided against introducing an Approved Code of Practice for houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) as we consider that our existing powers do not enable us to produce an effective and workable code that would deliver the standards we want HMOs to achieve in the longer term.
We will be consulting on proposed standards for the licensing scheme we are committed to introduce for HMOs. Once these standards have been agreed we will publish them and issue guidance to authorities on how they might begin to apply them prior to the introduction of licensing.
§ Mr. BurnsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals the Government have to provide a statutory definition of multiple occupation houses following the Barnes v. Sheffield City Council case; and if he will make a statement. [62123]
§ Mr. RaynsfordWe hope to issue a consultation document on our proposals for a licensing scheme for houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) early in the New Year. The consultation document will address the issue of HMO definition, with the objective of clarifying the uncertainty that surrounds it following cases such as Barnes v. Sheffield City Council.
§ Mr. RammellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the housing developments of over 10,000 homes which his Department has approved for planning purposes since 1985 indicating(a) the date of approval and (b) the local planning authority. [62070]
§ Mr. RaynsfordThis information is not readily available.