Margot James calls on the Government to resolve the situation where police have been instructed not to respond to local authorities' requests for checks on prospective tenants which are an important tool in the battle against antisocial behaviour.
Margot James (Stourbridge) (Con): The police nationally have instructed local inspectors not to comply with routine requests from local authorities for checks on prospective tenants, which are an important tool in the battle against antisocial behaviour. Will my hon. Friend meet the Information Commissioner to see whether a solution to that problem can be found?
James Brokenshire: My hon. Friend highlights responsible tenancies. My colleague the Minister for Housing and Local Government, the right hon. Member for Welwyn Hatfield (Grant Shapps), is doing further work on that to ensure that those who commit antisocial behaviour are not the beneficiaries of social housing in inappropriate circumstances. I note my hon. Friend’s comments and will draw them to the attention of my right hon. Friend.