HC Deb 03 March 2003 vol 400 cc866-7W
Ms Oona King

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister which registered social landlords participate in the seaside and country homes scheme. [99162]

Mr. McNulty

There are eight registered social landlords who hold seaside and country homes. These are North British Housing, Anchor Trust, Bristol Churches, Devon and Cornwall, Gloucestershire, Knightstone, Longhurst and Nene Housing Society.

All London registered social landlords can nominate tenants for the scheme. In the year from April 2001 until March 2002 the following RSLs had tenants either interviewed for the scheme and/or rehoused (some of the rehousings were from previous years): Bethnal Green and Victoria Park HA, Bradford Property Trust, Bromley/Broomleigh HA, Church Commissioners, Circles 33 Housing Trust, Community HA, East Thames HA, English Churches HA, Family HA, Guinness Trust, Hexagon HA, Hyde HA, Islington and Shoreditch HA, London and Quadrant, Metropolitan Housing Trust, Network HA, New Islington and Hackney HA, Octavia HA, Orbit HA, Peabody Trust, Poplar Harca, Richmond Churches, Samuel Lewis Trust, Sanctuary HA, Soldiers and Sailors Foundation, South London Family HA, Springboard HA, St Pancras HA, Threshold Tennant HA, Toynbee HA and Warden HA.

Ms Oona King

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister which local authorities place restrictions on the numbers of tenants they will nominate to the Seaside and Country Homes Scheme each year.[99163]

Mr. McNulty

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is not aware of any local authorities that have placed restrictions on the number of their tenants who meet the eligibility criteria that can apply.

Ms Oona King

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what guidance his Department has issued to local authorities about establishing the relative priority of tenants they nominate to the Seaside and Country Homes Scheme. [99164]

Mr. McNulty

The last guidance on the scheme was issued to all London Boroughs by HOMES in 2000. This included as an annex the application form that explains how points are awarded.

HOMES also send all boroughs a quarterly report which gives details of areas with lower demand and also ensure that London Borough staff who take over responsibility for the scheme are trained in how it operates. Front line staff are encouraged to attend these sessions so as to ensure they are familiar with the scheme's operation.

Ms Oona King

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what figures his Department has collated on the number of tenants whose application to be considered for the Seaside and Country Homes Scheme has been refused by their local authority on the grounds of(a) their eligibility and (b) their relative priority. [99165]

Mr. McNulty

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has not collected any figures on the number of applicants who have been refused by local authorities.