HC Deb 19 December 2002 vol 396 cc953-4W
Ms Oona King

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what research he has commissioned into the use of rent assessment panels by BME tenants in the private rented sector, following the recommendation in the DTLR (Housing Directorate) Action Plan, "Addressing the Needs of BME People"; and what steps he will take to address the problems that have been identified. [88264]

Mr. McNulty

To date, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has not commissioned any research into the use of Rent Assessment Panels (RAPs) by BME groups. The Action Plan, "addressing the housing needs of BME people", made it clear that an examination of the use of RAP's would be subject to resources and other priorities.

Priority is currently being given to the implementation of the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002, including measures affecting the leasehold valuation tribunals, which are made up of the RAPs by BME groups will be undertaken after the anticipated completion of the implementation of the Act on spring 2003.

Ms Oona King

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what proportion of(a) African, (b) Afro-Caribbean, (c) Chinese and Vietnamese, (d) Bangladeshi, (e) Indian and (f) Pakistani households are in overcrowded accommodation. [88265]

Mr. McNulty

If overcrowding is measured by the 'bedroom standard' from Survey of English Housing data, averaged over the last three years (1999–2000, 2000–01, 2001–02), the estimated percentages of households in overcrowded accommodation (i.e. one or more bedrooms below the standard) are:(a) African 15 per cent., (b) Afro-Caribbean 6 per cent., (c) Chinese 7 per cent., (d) Bangladeshi 30 per cent., (e) Indian 7 per cent. and (f) Pakistani 22 per cent. The corresponding percentages for other ethnic groups are : white 2 per cent., 'other black groups' 9 per cent., and 'mixed and other ethnic groups', including Vietnamese, 9 per cent.