Written question asked by Patsy Calton (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 18 December 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 7 January 2003. It was answered by Tony McNulty (Labour) on Tuesday, 7 January 2003 on behalf of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

Office of the Deputy Prime Minister

Question: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what plans he has to modernise legal standards relating to overcrowding in rented accommodation. - Inc ref to 396 c612W, 16 December 2002.

Answer: Mrs. Calton: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to modernise legal standards relating to overcrowding in rented accommodation. [88550] Mr. McNulty: As the Deputy Prime Minister mentioned in his reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Bethnal Green and Bow (Ms King) on 16 December 2002, Official Report, column 612W, the office of the Deputy Prime Minister is considering whether overcrowding-including in rented accommodation-is best tackled through a more modern set of standards or through the new Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS), on which the office hopes to legislate when Parliamentary time allows. Provisions to introduce HHSRS will form part of the Housing Bill which we intend to publish in draft during this session.

Secondary information