Houses (Multiple Occupancy)

HC Deb 10 July 2000 vol 353 cc400-1W

Mr. Jim Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he plans to introduce compulsory licensing for homes in multiple occupancy. [129531]

Mr. Raynsford

We plan to introduce a licensing system for houses in multiple occupancy as soon as Parliamentary time can be found for the necessary primary legislation.

Mr. Jim Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many homes in multiple occupancy there are in(a) Coventry, (b) the West Midlands and (c) the UK. [129532]

Mr. Raynsford

Information given to my Department by local authorities indicates that there are 1,000 houses in multiple occupation in Coventry, and 15,441 in the West Midlands. The English House Condition Survey indicates a figure of 525,000 for England. My Department does not hold information concerning houses in multiple occupation in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.