§ Mr. HayesTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the Government estimates the implementation of the648W provisions of the Housing Bill will cost; and what funds the Government have committed to the implementation of the provisions of the Housing Bill. [166287]
§ Keith HillThe Housing Bill was introduced in the House in December 2003. At that time, the Government made available the Regulatory Impact Assessments for each of the Parts of the Bill. These set out our initial estimates of the costs of implementing the Housing Bill provisions. These included start-up costs for the introduction of the Housing Health and Safety Rating System and licensing provisions. They also included start up costs and some additional enforcement costs for the introduction of home information packs.
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is currently in discussion with the Local Government Association about these estimated costs. Final decisions on the commitment of funds are subject to the outcome of the Government's spending review.