To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions his Department has held with the Borough of Islington concerning housing needs and the disbursement of capital receipts; and if he will make a statement. [30771]

Officials from the Government Office for London meet those from the Borough's Housing Department throughout the year to discuss priority needs, the Borough's responses to those needs, and to explore ways of contributing through my Department's capital programmes including the Capital Receipts Initiative. The most recent contacts have been as part of the annual Housing Investment Programme round, during which the Borough's housing strategy for the next three years was discussed.