Michael Ellis
Main Page: Michael Ellis (Conservative - Northampton North)(14 years, 11 months ago)
Commons Chamber Andrew Stunell
        
    
    
    
    
    
        
        
        
            Andrew Stunell 
        
    
        
    
        The hon. Gentleman is quite right that the picture is very complex. That is why when the settlement comes, he will see that the Government have responded to the points he has raised.
 Michael Ellis (Northampton North) (Con)
        
    
    
    
    
    
        
        
        
            Michael Ellis (Northampton North) (Con) 
        
    
        
    
        9. What steps he is taking to reduce the number of squatters.
 The Minister for Housing and Local Government (Grant Shapps)
        
    
    
    
    
    
        
        
        
            The Minister for Housing and Local Government (Grant Shapps) 
        
    
        
    
        On 8 November I published an online guide for home owners affected by squatters, setting out the rights and action they can take. We are also taking steps to help get empty homes back into productive use and will be helping to reduce the scope for squatting by doing this.
 Michael Ellis
        
    
    
    
    
    
        
        
        
            Michael Ellis 
        
    
        
    
        I thank the Minister for that answer, but we have some long-established squatters in Parliament square. What are we going to do about them?
 Grant Shapps
        
    
    
    
    
    
        
        
        
            Grant Shapps 
        
    
        
    
        As the Prime Minister said yesterday, the Government share the concerns about the current state of Parliament square. I can inform the House that we intend to introduce legislation shortly.