Protection of Family Homes (Enforcement and Permitted Development) Bill

Marcus Jones Excerpts

2nd reading: House of Commons
Friday 25th November 2016 Commons Chamber

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Mr Marcus Jones)]

Again, I thank the hon. Member for Birmingham, Selly Oak (Steve McCabe) for introducing the Bill. I welcome the opportunity to return to this important topic.

The Government have set out their ambition to create a country that works for everyone, but if we are to deliver that, we must ensure that the housing market works for all parts of our community.

[Steve McCabe (Birmingham, Selly Oak) (Lab)]

As I think I said on a previous occasion, I used to be the Government Whip on Fridays, so I bear the Minister no ill will in respect of the task that lies ahead of him. However, if he does not want to accept the Bill, will he acknowledge the existence of the hardship and injustice suffered by the individuals who prompted me to introduce it, and will he agree to a meeting to discuss ways to provide remedies for those problems?

[Mr Jones]

The hon. Gentleman raises extremely important issues, and I will come on to how many of the issues he refers to are addressed by current legislation, the enforcement of which is critical. It would be an important—