Written question asked by Nigel Evans (Conservative) on Wednesday, 24 April 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 30 April 2002. It was answered by Sally Keeble (Labour) on Tuesday, 30 April 2002 on behalf of the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions.

Dept for Transport Local Government and the Regions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, if he will make a statement on the practice of local authorities writing off debts accrued by tenants in council-owned homes.

Answer: Mr. Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the practice of local authorities writing off debts accrued by tenants in council-owned homes. [53102] Ms Keeble: The Code of Accounting Practice applicable to local authorities requires them to write off debts known to be uncollectable. They are also required to make financial provision for the proportion of current debts which in due course are likely to turn out to be uncollectable. Each local authority will, in addition, have procedures set out in their own financial regulations requiring proper authorisation for write offs. Local authorities are obliged to obtain best value in carrying out their housing management functions. Performance, including that on rent collection, is reported annually to the public in an authority's best value performance plan.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 53102; 384 c681W;384 c679-80W
Session: 2001-02
Subjects: Codes of practice Debts Council housing Debts written off Local government Tenants
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk