§ Mr. O'HaraTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research he has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on identifying the locations of the worst housing conditions (i) in general terms and (ii) in respect of energy efficiency. [71405]
§ Mr. RaynsfordMy Department carries out a five-yearly English House Condition Survey that assesses the number and distribution of dwellings nationally and regionally in poor condition and with poor energy standards. The last survey was carried out in 1996 and another is planned for 2001. As the survey is only a (representative) sample of the stock it cannot identify which particular local areas have concentrations of poor housing conditions or low energy efficiency levels. Local authorities themselves assess housing conditions and energy efficiency levels in their areas to produce locally based strategies.