asked the Prime Minister if Her Majesty's Government have plans to seek to increase the supply of homes to rent.

The Government's public expenditure plans already allow for over £3 billion of public investment in housing in 1985–86. We have encouraged local authorities to concentrate their resources on those in special need. We are also considering whether further steps, in addition to those in the Housing Act 1980, should be taken to encourage private landlords to meet the demand for homes to rent.