Written question asked by Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Conservative) on Monday, 3 November 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 6 November 2003. It was answered by Keith Hill (Labour) on Thursday, 6 November 2003 on behalf of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

Office of the Deputy Prime Minister

Question: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, whether directions have been made under Section 334 of the Housing Act 1985 to require information on overcrowding. - Inc fact that the information requested is not held centrally and disproportionate cost.

Answer: Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether directions have been made under Section 334 of the Housing Act 1985 to require information on overcrowding. [136940] Keith Hill: The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. As far as the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is aware, the powers in section 334 of the Housing Act 1985 have not been used by local authorities or my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister in recent years. However, all local authorities have carried out assessments of the need for new affordable housing, to underpin their housing strategies. Part 7 of the Local Government Act 2003 puts these strategies on a statutory footing for the first time.

Secondary information