§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what regulations are in place to evaluate(a) the quality of housing need and (b) the house condition assessment provided to councils by consultancies. [87937]
§ Mr. McNultyRobust information on housing need and stock condition is essential to the effective delivery of local authorities' housing strategic and landlord roles. The quality of this information is addressed in the annual scrutiny of authorities' housing strategies and housing revenue account business plans carried out by Government offices and will also be covered in some of the Housing Inspectorate's best value inspections. Detailed guidance is available to authorities on issues to be considered in commissioning housing need and stock condition surveys and in the use of the data obtained.