HC Deb 20 November 2001 vol 375 cc213-4W
30. Mr. Pike

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what action his Department proposes to take to assist local authorities with large numbers of unwanted and surplus private sector houses. [13583]

Ms Keeble

We recognise the problems created by abandoned housing in low-demand areas. There are no easy answers. The causes of market decline vary between authorities and so will the solutions. Local authorities already have a range of tools that they can use to deal with surplus housing. Other measures, such as licensing of private landlords and our private sector renewal reforms, are in the pipeline.