Oral Answers to Questions
Debate between Valerie Vaz and Lord Foster of Bath
Mr Foster
I am enormously grateful to the hon. Gentleman for the positive discussions he and I have had on the matter. I remind him that I have agreed to look at the issues he has raised, and we have already given £1.6 billion in grants to help bring council homes up to a decent standard.
Valerie Vaz (Walsall South) (Lab)
What steps will the Minister take to bring empty sites with planning permission for housing back into use?
Mr Foster
Already there is vigorous use. I remind the House that some two thirds of assets in this country are owned by local councils. We are now consulting on the need to get councils to declare a list of all their assets. We have also given additional powers on the right to reclaim that should enable local communities, and indeed individuals, to put pressure on people who own derelict sites to bring them back into use.